Every now and then, a band will release an album that takes them from being mere contenders to cementing them as genre heavyweights; for Manchester’s metallic-hardcore five-piece Guilt Trip, ‘Armour Of Angels’ is one such LP. Whilst only being the band’s third full length release, ‘Armour Of Angels’ finds the quintet brimming with strident confidence and a flawless set of songs that easily match up to bands such as Malevolence and Bleed From Within.
From the moment opening face-melter ‘One By One’ unleashes its fury, ‘Armour Of Angels’ is an unrelenting assault of ferocity and show-stopping musical technicality. The guitar work by Jak Madden and Sam Baker is heartstopping throughout the entire album, as intricate and tightly played chugging riffs are interspersed with effective sprinkles of harmonics and death metal like squealing solos, as heard on the ripping brutality of ‘Suffer Me’ and the melodically rich ‘Blood Atonement’. The band’s first album since signing to Roadrunner Records, ‘Armour Of Angels’ is notable for hearing Guilt Trip’s nu-metal influences peak through too, like on the Korn-esque spooky cleans of ‘Veins’ and the raging, groove-ridden ‘Resurrected’, which features a guest spot from Sonny Sandoval, frontman for genre veterans P.O.D. These touches only serve to enhance the band’s sound, lending them their own unique identity, standing out in what can often feel like a crowded field.
As well as a stronger focus on technical playing this time around, ‘Armour Of Angels’ also finds vocalist Jay Valentine venturing further out of his comfort zone, with more clean singing featured here than on any other Guilt Trip release. Always a divisive decision, the use of cleans only serves to lend the album a richer emotional palate, like on the catchy single ‘Dirt’ and the aforementioned experimental stylings of ‘Veins’. These are used sparingly and effectively, whilst his harsh shouts sound more commanding than ever before. Noteworthy too is the faultless work by drummer Tom Aimson and bassist Lily Kilcoyne, who hold down the low-end with flawless efficiency, demonstrated on the infectious grooves of ‘No Love Lost’, ‘Burn’ and epic closer ‘The Banner Of Heaven’.
The production on ‘Armour Of Angels’ is a highlight too; crisp and clean without feeling sterile, everything shines a touch brighter than it did on 2023’s ‘Severance’, doing so without losing any of the band’s raw energy or hardcore integrity.
So whilst ‘Armour Of Angels’ doesn’t necessarily rewrite the band’s sound, it certainly sees them elevate it to jaw dropping new heights and delivers the strongest, most mature and technically proficient set of songs Guilt Trip have released to date. Very much all killer no filler, be prepared to see ‘Armour Of Angels’ on many 2026 Album Of The Year lists.
ADAM FIRTH