Photo courtesy of Daniel Harris

Fans of Frank Carter have watched him transform from chaotic frontman of hardcore punk band Gallows to outspoken advocate and leader of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. The band’s latest release, End of Suffering, brings forth another transformation as they take on a new era.

End of Suffering, named after the Buddhist term for enlightenment, was recorded with Cam Blackwood (George Ezra/Jack Savoretti) and mixed by Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails/Queens Of The Stone Age). It lets listeners dive deeper into the creative mind of Carter by getting a better understanding of where he’s currently at in his life.

"This is the most honest record I've ever written,” he said. “Blossom was about loss, Modern Ruin was about crumbling foundations - whether that's relationships or society. End Of Suffering is a lot more personal. It's about how fucking hard you can make things for yourself."

The album opens with “Why a Butterfly Can't Love a Spider” and lyrically stands out amongst the tracklist due to the intensity heard in Carter’s voice as he sings, “When I’m high I’m in heaven/When I’m low I’m in hell”. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello is featured on the second track, “Tyrant Lizard King”, and perfectly blends Morello’s talent with the hook of a first-album era Rattlesnakes song.

Songs like “Crowbar” and “Kitty Sucker” emphasize the growth that Carter has made in his songwriting while songs like “Anxiety” prove how honest the lyrics have become. Carter has been open about his own struggles with anxiety, and has become an advocate to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness in general. His online initiative that works alongside UK charity CALM, #abetterplaceforyouandme, is a safe forum for people to discuss ways of overcoming and living with anxiety.

Another topic he’s spoken openly about is the lack of equality seen at live shows. When performing at Cobra Lounge in Chicago in 2017, Carter kept a theme throughout the show of speaking about misogyny ruining concerts for women. That night, he gave the women in that crowd a platform to feel safe in that room and dedicated a song just to crowd surfing females. He said his reasoning behind pushing for a safe, equal environment was because of his daughter, who can be heard on the title track. 

Through Frank Carter’s transformation, his efforts to evolve as a man and a musician have given his music a more honest approach with each release. End of Suffering is a new era of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes; an era that’s sure to bring their best music yet.