Westgate Under Fire

Westgate Under Fire
Studio album by
Dub War
Released5 August 2022 (2022-08-05)
Recorded2016–2022
Genre
Length47:45
LabelEarache
ProducerRichard "Action" Jackson
Dub War chronology
Wrong Side of Beautiful
(1996) 		Westgate Under Fire
(2022)
Singles from Westgate Under Fire
  1. "Fun Done"
    Released: 2 March 2016
  2. "Blackkk Man"
    Released: 2 March 2022
  3. "War Inna Babylon"
    Released: 13 April 2022
Westgate Under Fire ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Kerrang!4/5[2]
Louder Sound[1]

Westgate Under Fire is the third studio album by Welsh ragga metal band Dub War, released on 5 August 2022 via Earache Records. It is the first album of new material by the band since Wrong Side of Beautiful in 1996.

Background

[edit]

After their split in 1999, 3/4 of the band went on to form Skindred, however only frontman Benji Webbe remained by 2004. In 2014, the group reunited for a limited number of shows with Mikee Gregory on live drums.[4][5] This was followed in March 2016 with the single "Fun Done"[6] and "Making a Monster" in October that year. This was initially planned to be part of a series of singles that would eventually culminate in a full album through independent label Saint Ringland Records.[7]

However, these plans eventually fell through until 2022, when the group announced Westgate Under Fire, inspired by the events of the Newport Rising, and important moment in the Chartist movement.[8][9] The group reunited with Earache Records to release the album,[10] and recruited a host of drummers to perform on the album alongside Gregory. The first single, "Blackkk Man", was released on 2 March 2022. The track was inspired by the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests.[11] Previous stand-alone single "Fun Done" is included on the album, while "Making a Monster" was renamed "Mary Shelley".

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Benji Webbe, Jeff Rose and Richie Glover

Westgate Under Fire track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Blackkk Man"3:30
2."War Inna Babylon" (Max Romeo and The Upsetters cover, featuring Ranking Roger)3:41
3."Vibes in the Place"3:48
4."Art of War" (featuring Spike T. Smith)2:11
5."Reveal It" (featuring Roy Mayorga)4:50
6."Mary Shelley"4:13
7."Bite Back" (featuring Dave Chavarri)3:18
8."Coffin Lid"3:52
9."Crying Clowns" (featuring Jamie Miller and Mikey Doling)3:18
10."Get Back Up" (featuring Mike Bordin)3:55
11."Fun Done"3:29
12."Stay Together" (Al Green cover)4:19
13."Celtic Cross" (featuring Tanner Wayne)3:21
Total length:47:45

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Westgate Under Fire
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[12] 27
UK Albums (OCC)[13] 49
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[14] 2
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[15] 1

References

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  1. ^ a b Hill, Stephen (2 August 2022). "Dub War's Westgate Under Fire: metal's original soundclash kings return to reclaim their crown". Louder Sound. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b Travers, Paul (3 August 2022). "Album review: Dub War – Westgate Under Fire". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  3. ^ Phil Alexander, "RIP Alan Lewis: Kerrang! founder and British publishing legend", Kerrang!, 24 June 2021 Archived 2 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 July 2021
  4. ^ Dub War reunite for Download Festival 2015 Archived 3 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Virtual Festivals. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  5. ^ Nicky Wire and Newport band Dub War to feature at Velvet Coalmine festival Archived 5 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine, South Wales Argus. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  6. ^ Listen to a brand new song by Dub War Archived 21 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine TeamRock. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  7. ^ Skindred's Benji Webbe has reformed Dub War and plans to release 12 records Archived 19 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Wales Online. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  8. ^ Carter, Emily (2 March 2022). "Benji Webbe's Dub War return with first album of all-new material in over 25 years". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  9. ^ Ranson, Gerry (2 March 2022). "Dub War Return". Vive Le Rock. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Dub War". Earache Records. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  11. ^ DUB WAR To Release First Album Of New Material In Over 25 Years Archived 5 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine Blabbermouth.net. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
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