Section 25

Dark Light

Review By Andrew Barclay

Many years ago when I was around 6 or 7 years old I can remember playing all my dad's old cassette tapes (I wasn't allowed near the vinyl until I was much older). I chose what to listen to by how much I liked the cover. A great cover equalled a great album, or so I figured.

Anyway, I came across an album called 'Key Of Dreams'. Most of my dad's collection was made up of American bands and singers, so when I looked through the album notes and sussed out that this was an English band, I decided to have a listen.

As young as I was at the time, the music spoke to me. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard before (or since for that matter). Eventually I grew up, bought my own record collection and came to know and love Section 25.

The new album, 'Dark Light' is the first album to fully feature vocalist Bethany Cassidy, daughter of Larry Cassidy, the band's original singer for anyone not acquainted with them yet. The new album follows in the footprints of the bands last outing, the 'Invicta' EP of new material released on Hacienda Records, and featuring the new fan favourite 'Colour Movement Sex and Violence'.

The album start's with the subtle brooding 'Worlds End' which shows Section 25 aren't all about pretty tunes and pop tones, this is a dark song.

As Bethany sings

"last dance on the radio.."

the hairs on my neck literally stood on end.

'My Outrage' picks up the pace and contains all the elements that made the band great in the 1980s infused with what makes the band great in 2013, Bethany's tuneful vocals.

I was lucky enough to hear an early version of 'Pitch Black Box' last year and knew then it was going to be a great track, jazzy, cool calm and collected its essential listening.

The album version of 'Colour Movement Sex And Violence' is just as good as its EP version if slightly less radio friendly in the mix. It's the sort of song that if written by Bernard Sumner would be hailed as a huge return to form. For Section 25, its all in a days work.

'Inner drive', another track first heard on the Invicta EP is driving and melodic, with drummer Vin Cassidy managing to put down his first rap vocal in the bands lengthy career to date, literally anything is possible with this band.

'Letter To America' is some serious stuff, sinister sounding and every bit as edgy as anything I've heard Primal Scream record, under pinned by looming vocal samples whilst images of destruction are conjured up in the listeners mind.

'Early Exit' sounds like it could very well make a new live favourite. It's kept in time by some tight drumming by Vin Cassidy, and lyrically seems to deal with themes of reflection in general terms, and with Bethany's crystal clear vocal its also quite reassuring in a strange way.

'Program For Light' will bring a smile to the face of anyone who was around and enjoyed the acid dance craze. It's fast, furious and designed to make you get up and dance. Which is exactly what you should be doing if you see Section 25 playing in a town near you, buy a ticket and go enjoy hearing one of the most versatile bands in the world.

For more info visit the bands website at

www.section25.com