Review - Stab In The Dark's New Album "DERAILER"

The new LP Derailer from the Pacific Northwest’s Stab In The Dark rages from the start with “Hit the Floor,” which lands us at a crazy punk rock party and sets the tone for the rest of the album to come. I hope everyone is doing ok that attended that show... that 2 minutes painted a wild picture.

“Take it Slow” jets into quick skate-punk verses before landing on one of the most melodic tracks of the album “Self Righteous” with driving choruses and one of my favourite guitar licks on the record.

“Do What You Want” is generally uplifting and dynamically exciting in the choruses with Mark’s use of the toms, which brings the rhythm to life behind Gary’s melodies: “You weren’t born to lose, you can do what you want.”

“Figure it Out” immediately makes you want to start a circle pit and knock everyone’s beer over. Such a huge, powerful intro that explodes into double time verses and anthem choruses.

The next song “Enough Of It” was their first single off the album which was released alongside a music video back in 2020 with clips of the world crashing down in the midst of the pandemic, insane wild fires and the battle against social injustice.

“Toxic Love Song” has one of my favorite choruses off the record which breaks down into a radical guitar riff in the bridge and absolutely nails a classic punk rock call and response outro. The guitars dissolve and flow into Josh’s Bass intro of “Con-Man,” a killer mid-tempo jam that reminds me of some of my favorite tracks off Bad Religion’s 2000 release: The Process of Belief.

The toms punch their way through the beginning of “Out of Control” and erupt into driving verses with fierce lyrics of disorder and dismay. “Empty and Cold” comes in hot with an intense riff and never lets off the gas. A definite highlight of the album as well as a favorite to see live!

The record continues to impress with the last two songs “My Station” and “Ship to Sail.” Although complete opposites of each other they seamlessly tie together the ending of a great modern punk record. “Ship to Sail” being a stand out acoustic track with tons of harmonies crafted around the most sincere and earnest lyrics of this collection of songs.

Derailer is out NOW on Zomie Media! Records. Stream everywhere!