If you would have told my teenage self while watching the Drongos upstairs at The Crown in Birmingham that I would be reviewing a Drongos album in 2026 I would have probably laughed by b*****ks off. But here we are.
The album begins with a spoken word opening that is a call to arms before it launches into anthem and live favourite ‘What About Us’. This sets the tone for the album. ‘Instigator’ follows and is a tight full on piledriver that shows their playing ability and knack for writing some of the catchiest choruses you will ever hear. ‘In The Shadows’ is a well worked track with guitar and bass lines akin to Rancid, and a chorus bordering on the New York Dolls. You will be humming that guitar riff for weeks.
The rerecorded ‘Hope and Glory’ originally recorded on their first EP sounds more powerful with age. If this was the first time you had heard this you would never guess this was written over 40 years ago. The lyrics are probably even more relevant today than they were all those years ago.
‘Insubordination’ is classic Drongos with a chat along chorus that is hard to ignore. ‘Wrong Side of Town’ opens like the metal of Motörhead and this is full on speed punk played with precision and as tight as you will get. They slow it down with ‘Surrender’, a mid-paced groove with an excellent intense opening and Tom Tom grooves to add to the menace. This leads into another sure-fire anthem with guitar licks a cross between Killing Joke and The Cult. This track could by the catchiest of them all.
‘National Treasure’ is an old school punk rant which is almost over too quickly – another great singalong. ‘watch us as we burn our bridges down’ is a great line. A rerecorded ‘Black Cross’ also originally on their first EP ‘Adverse Chorus’ as is Hope and Glory sounds as good as ever. I think there is something to be said for re-recording these classic early tracks given the years of playing of the band members and the recording gear now at a band’s disposal.
‘Destination Hesitation’ is full of classic Drongos riffery you can almost hum along to, complimented by lyrics and a chorus the whole crowd with be shouting along to at every gig. Nice to hear this version of ‘Dresden’ another great early Drongos track. Breathing new life into this is a cool thing to do as tracks like this have never lost their edge. Superb UK Subs cover ‘Self Destruct’ brings the album to a close with echoes of 999 Self Destruct ringing in your ears.
This is a brilliant album, with 8 new tracks, 3 rerecorded DFE tracks that have never appeared on previous albums and a cool UK Subs cover. This latest release is filled with anthems with top musicianship and Tommy Drongos voice is as strong as ever. Tommy, Andy (he plays the drums as well you know), Mopsy and Kimbo have played a blinder. Drongos for Europe have always prided themselves on producing quality output and this album is no exception. Given their pedigree no wonder they play at major punk festivals both here and abroad.
The backing vocalists deserve a mention as they have given the album a feel of crowd participation and togetherness which has always been part of the Drongos For Europe vibe. The list reads like West Midlands punk royalty including none other than Dek Drongo himself. (I played his wedding you know)
They have been an inspiration to so many bands over the years including my own and long may this continue. Great stuff and make sure you get this and catch them live.
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