Peaky Blinders meet Iron Maiden!

Review by Diane Davies, legendary rock journalist for HRH magazine, 

Well, that’s the description I’m seeing on the Birthrite page for these Black Country rockers. They are definitely different from most bands you come across , like a Steampunk version of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band with the pyro technique and craziness of Arthur Brown and you nearly have what they portray.

Frontman Erazamus Voss originally founded the band in the early 2000s. They are based in the Dudley area, gigging all around the country. Perhaps their biggest achievements so far are providing the theme song for Blood & Bone China the hit YouTube series and being interviewed on BBC Midlands Today regarding their style and relationship with the heritage of The Black Country. After releasing a 6 track EP last year they have now brought out this full 12 track album, which adds 6 more songs to the ever-growing collection.

You Take Me Down with its striking guitar chords comes in rather ominously before breaking into a robust melody. Mr Voss leads the way on this song which is full of intriguing episodes, then cosmic guitar and battering drums take it out further, between the adhering verses. In A Corner Of My Mind continues the uplifting melodic feel and storyline lyrics. Pumping guitar and bass collide above the near spoken words and it rolls without missing a beat. The third track Square Dance has another interesting intro and the bass of Barnabus Strange holds the fort for this lower ended piece. Another boisterous round of vocals and a singalong chorus that is surrounded by that terrific rhythm section. We get a ballad next called Falling Out Of Love where it’s all stripped to the bone. It’s a lovely interlude with gentle tones and proves Birthrite have more than one string to their revolutionary bow. Heroes swipes in with slowly paced strings and hollering. Take a while to soak up the music, before the melody gathers and just listen to all those interlaced instrumentals. What an amazing track!

I Know The Way is more rock and roll, with a higher delivery and solid kicking on the skins from Markus Kain and Evolutionary Man carries on the increased density while Goodbye Happiness rips apart with experimental noise. The gradual build is typical of the band’s style and as the vocals pour in it’s another with a cascade of fast running chords and expertly laid notes. We do have a cover on the album as David Bowie’s Scary Monsters appears. It’s a brave move, but a decent take on the original and I can see now where Erazamus’s theatrical roots lie. Just A Kiss Goodbye is the second that descends into ballad mode, although if does gather more layers than Falling Out Of Love. There’s a sumptuous guitar break midway. If there’s one track that gets your feet moving it’s One More Chance which is a rip-roaring mash of over the top attitude and I bloody love it! Fabulous ear candy with a wealth of drum bashing and high scaling guitar above the raunchy vocals; it’s followed by the last track Is There Anybody Out There? which keeps the fire burning with loads of off-the-wall antics. They don’t go out quietly on this album, in fact this finale is one of the most decadent and intrepid of the 12.

Rock Radio UK Score: 5/5

The album is called You Need Birthrite and I wholly agree, as they deliver uplifting, crazy and colourful music with a generous helping of showmanship, something we are lacking a little in today’s music scene. Of course, they must be seen live in order to witness the full shocking spectacle, but grab this album as a sample, before you look out for them near you. 

The current line-up of Birthrite is made up of:

• Erazamus Voss – Lead Vocalist, Lyrics
• Jonny Zygen – Guitars
• Barnabus Strange – Bass, Backing Vocals
• Markus Kain – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Find Birthrite on Facebook – here: https://www.facebook.com/birthrite1

‘You Need Birthrite’ is available to purchase – here

Diane Davies, April 2025.