Although Vancouver based streetpunk / Oi! outfit Bishops Green were formed in the spring of 2011 it wasn’t until early 2013 that the band shook up the scene and took it by storm with their untitled 12” Maxi EP. Featuring six tracks, this 12” was some of the best work that was released last year which was confirmed by it’s sales. Over 1,000 copies were pressed, and altough still available through a mailorder here or there it can be considered as completly sold out! By high demand a second pressing with alternative artwork was released to fullfill the need of all punks and skins looking for a release of top quality!

 

While looking at the facts as stated above you’d say there would be some kind of pressure on the band for their next release. Although the title, “Pressure”, might suggest otherwise you can’t hear back in the sound on this full-length that there was any kind of pressure. Basically the band picks up where the final chords of “The Crow”, the final track of the debut 12”, ended, but still Bishops Green managed to develope their sound further to top their debut any way possible on “Pressure”!

 

Also it’s kind of unique that this album is coming out. Frontman Greg Huff has been a recording artist for over 20 years already, but this is only his fifth full-length that he ever recorded, with The Lancasters’ “Alexander & Gore” being the previous one dating back all the way to 2003! Needless to say that is has been a while, but now they’re here, ten of some of the most anticipated tracks of 2014!

 

All I can say is that “Another Door”, “Gross & Net”, “Rat Race”, “Night Terror”, “Pressure”, “Vacant State”, “Tomorrow”, “Silence”, “Vengeance” and “Hell In A Handbag” totally live up to the expectations I had of this record and I’ll be honest with you, those were high. But I love everything on “Pressure”, from the socially aware and anti-government lyrics to the sound which is best described as a mix between Cock Sparrer, The Templars, The Crack and The Clash (mainly “Hell In A Handbag” featuring Lars Frederiksen), it’s all here and it’s all bigger and better than on the self-titled 12”, awesome!

 

I know a lot of you are waiting fort his release and all I can say is it’s well worth the wait! “Pressure” is top 3 material for the upcoming yearlists and 2014 has just started! Bishops Green delivered an amazing full-length that is a great mix of ’77 styled punkrock, streetpunk and Oi! music that you will either like or love, disliking or hating it is no option here, this is just too good! If I have to be critical about anything I would say that the coverart is a bit dull and I personally would have chosen for something else, but that’s it. In any other way possible this record kicks major ass and is a must-have for anyone who likes or reads this page!