ALBUM REVIEW: Nothing More – ‘Carnal’

Remember when Nothing More got so big that it forced the entire US radio-rock economy to shift around more intelligent and adventurous acts? Yeah, us neither. Turns out you can brute-force will a band to multi-million monthly streams and still have them fighting against the current, such is where Nothing More find themselves, and pretty much have since breakthrough. Not to oversell the capabilities of a band who are ‘progressive’ insofar as they’ll occasionally share some thoughts on philosophy, but it doesn’t help to shunt them in front of the same Neanderthals who’ll happily slurp up the latest slop from, like, Godsmack whenever that comes around.

But at the same time, where else can Nothing More go? For all intents and purposes, that seems to be the audience they’re built for; they won’t care about Jonny Hawkins supposedly running over his girlfriend in a truck, will they? Regardless—and despite how little of a footprint Spirits left in 2022—Nothing More don’t seem to be changing that much. They’re still highfalutin and swollen with notions of grandeur than an effort-shy scene doesn’t sniff out very often, where the sheer willingness to try means they don’t even have to be all that good at it. Luckily, they are, and should they continue to be shackled to unflattering company for the time being, Nothing More at least remain a glimpse of what can be when you, y’know, do something.

Like their compatriots in hard rock extra-miling Starset, the thesis of Nothing More’s scope is a big, dense reworking of the norm, without merely stopping at the superficial outer layers with plenty others will. Unlike Starset, however, the concern of some restraint isn’t lost. Carnal might boast 15 tracks, but a third of those are interludes, which isn’t a flattering ratio in itself but assuages the bloated nightmare it appears as at first glance. If you ignore them (which, for the most part, comes highly advised), you’ll actually find a rather digestible album, where a lot of what makes Nothing More a cut above is on display. (Though, to be honest, as you get in the second half and are bombarded with theological ramblings that are tenuously connected at best, at what feels like every other track, it’s a real downer to where “ignore them” is easier said than done.)

Among its core material, Carnal’s level of quality remains pleasantly high. At no point do Nothing More feel as though they’re trudging fruitlessly or falling to a lack of dynamism osmosed from everyone around them. Opener proper House On Sand really throws that notion out there, with its low-hanging, snarling riffs that complement a typically blockbuster vocal performance from Hawkins, and even a solid guest turn from I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe to supply a heavier foil. The fact it isn’t reinventing the wheel isn’t a knock, nor is it a standard that feels helpful to judge this by. On their own merits, Nothing More are fighting tooth and nail to bring some life and energy into a style that’s often left yearning for it in its dying breaths. Carnal is the kind of shot that provides what’s needed, which is the whole reason why it continues to work.

Not for nothing, but the rarity of an album like this—a modern, fairly mainstream hard rock album playing to the cheap seats—with no outright duds should count for something on its own. It’s frankly wonderful that Nothing More are capable of reading what’s needed to such an extent, and putting in to deliver on it. Hooks come in abundance, with Angel Song and Freefall espousing the most benefit of having a genuine singer to relay them, while Blame It On The Drugs is a swerve into squeaky-clean, highly adrenalised pop-rock that’s a decent fit, too. It’s worth noting that nothing on Carnal is too far outside Nothing More’s typical remit (including the philosophising that could largely by cut with no severe repercussions). That’s probably why it’s such a tight job overall—an album buoyed by a naturally higher floor, which in context of the world it finds itself in, makes for a better look.

And absolutely none of that will convince anyone of sound mind or experience that this is the one, Nothing More’s chance to rocket to the top. There’s not enough faith in the world to justify that thought, not when the prime directive of the radio format is to circle the drain for as long as possible. Plus, Carnal isn’t amazing or anything. It’d be nice if it were produced to be a little less sterile at times, and Nothing More seem too bogged down in all the fluff to cut back on it now. But even so, with the good stuff brought forward and allowed a chance at the stars it’s shooting for, you’ll find it hard to complain if this is what you’re looking for. It’s about the usual for Nothing More, then, and will therefore probably leave them as one of the only acts in their camp who can justifiably be called underrated. It’s weird to say about one of these, but that’s honestly a bit of a shame.

For fans of: Starset, Fire From The Gods, Gemini Syndrome

‘Carnal’ by Nothing More is released on 28th June on Better Noise Records.

Words by Luke Nuttall