So, I can only presume that because you are reading this biog you have been given a copy of the new Mission album \u2013 The Brightest Light – to listen to. A new Mission album 27 years after their first album was released. Whole civilisations have come and gone in that time but The Mission remain.<\/p>\n
Now, if you want more info on the intervening years then there are many sources on the internet, not least the band\u2019s own webpage at www.themissionuk.com, which is a good place for you to start. I\u2019ll leave you to your own devices. I am sure, that with your journalistic qualifications, you are more than capable.
\nSuffice to say, The Mission have been making records and playing shows since 1986 with some years off in between for good\/bad behaviour. In that time they have sold in excess of 4 million of their previous 12 studio albums and attendant singles, compilations, and live albums. They have garnered headlines in the world\u2019s music press and not always for the quality and strength of their music. They enjoy a rabid, hardcore, devoted worldwide following. In 2011 they celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sold out European tour. Since then they have played more shows including South & Central America, and headlined (2nd stage) at the UK\u2019s premier rock event, Download Festival, and in amidst this flurry of activity they decided they\u2019d like to record a new album.<\/p>\n
Wayne Hussey, Craig Adams, & Simon Hinkler, original members all, along with drummer Mike Kelly, came to realize that they actually made quite a decent big ol\u2019 noise together and wanted to capture their newly rejuvenated sound on record.
\nHussey, being the songwriter of the band, locked himself away for a few months penning new songs before the band convened earlier this year on April 1st, no joke, to a rehearsal studio near Bath in the UK with producer David M Allen (The Cure, Depeche Mode, Human League etc) at the helm. Two weeks toil and sweat rehearsing and 3 warm-up shows in front of a boisterously receptive audience at the Bristol Thekla later and they found themselves ensconced in The Chapel Studios deep in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds for an intense but incredibly creative 10 days to lay down the basic tracks \u2013 bass, drums, piano, organ, and Slink\u2019s guitars. Done there then Hussey and Allen flew to Brazil to record Wayne\u2019s vocals and instrumental contributions at his home studio high in the hills above Sao Paulo. Another 10 days of long ungodly hours and jet lag amongst the wild toucans and parrots of Brazil before our intrepid duo found themselves back in north London mixing the finished tracks. All work completed just within 2 months of 1st day of rehearsal\u2026..<\/p>\n
So, the new album \u2013 The Brightest Light\u2026\u2026..
\nAnyone expecting a return to old familiar musical ground for The Mission is in for a surprise. This is a new album from a band that is obviously enjoying themselves and their newly re-found camaraderie and, whilst utilising all the modern day tools available to them, has recorded a timeless, classic rock album \u2013 in the true sense of the word. The Mission, finally after 27 years, have wholeheartedly embraced who they are and what they are good at and have produced probably the best \u2018rock\u2019 album of their lives.
\nHussey, as songwriter and vocalist, too long unheralded in many quarters, puts in a performance that must surely rank him near the summit in the list of the UK\u2019s current best. New songs with soaring melodies and lyrics that exhibit the cheek of the devil, pathos, heartache, and an ever more obvious sense of humour are surely amongst the very best he has ever scribed. And his voice has never sounded so honest. With people around him now that he trusts he is obviously a man that has become very comfortable in his own skin.
\nHussey, himself: \u201cThis is my rock album. My wife calls it my \u2018testosterone\u2019 album. It\u2019s all fully flexed muscle and proud of itself.
\nI wanted us to capture as closely as possible the sound that we make when we play live and I believe that for the very first time ever we have mostly succeeded.\u201d No idle claim this, just take a listen.
\nSlink, Simon Hinkler to you, after almost 20 years away from the music business, has re-asserted his claim to be the guitar god of his generation with his expressive and lyrical playing on this album. For the first time ever, Slink has stepped out from Hussey\u2019s shadow and found his own true voice with his guitar playing. There ain\u2019t no one else around at the moment playing as beautifully as Slink. Evidence: Just listen to \u2018From The Oyster Comes The Pearl\u2019.
\nCraig Adams, the well travelled and seasoned bass player, who after a long way \u2018round has found his spiritual home again alongside his ol\u2019 muckers Hussey & Hinkler. Hussey again: \u201cMy friend for more than 30 years now, and they said it wouldn\u2019t last. This is probably Addo\u2019s most consistently musical contribution to a Mission album ever. He surprised me, in a good way. He can still do that.\u201d
\nThis may well be a \u2018rocking\u2019 album but just listen to the way some of these bass lines just\u2026\u2026.roll.
\nAnd \u2018Young\u2019 Mike Kelly \u2013 \u2018young\u2019 because he\u2019s clocked up two decades less than the rest of his band mates. A fact he constantly likes to remind them of. Young – because he brings an energy and attitude to the album and keeps the groove going, both in a physical and spiritual way. Young \u2013 because he flies the flag for the rock n\u2019 roll excesses that the band used to be feted and celebrated for\u2013 Young but with an old wizened Geordie soul. Young – because he is.<\/p>\n
Once more, Hussey; \u201cIt\u2019s hard for me to make claims on behalf of this album as, like every other artist, I always feel my latest work is my best. Only time will reveal that to be true or not. We\u2019ll see. But I would say this; we did have so much fun making this record and I\u2019d like to think that\u2019s evident when you hear the music. We\u2019ve grown up, more mature, wiser \u2013 dunno about that – but I do have a clearer idea these days of what it is The Mission are good at. And I think we\u2019re more comfortable with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is a classic rock album in the best sense of the word. It\u2019s rooted in the present whilst unashamedly embracing the past. The Mission is not, and have never been, afraid to wear their influences on their collective sleeve. That being said, this is a unique work and sounds only like The Mission. But not The Mission you may have once known. This is a band that has never sounded so good, so fresh, so true.
\nLast word from Hussey; \u201cThanks for taking the time to listen to the album and hopefully you will find something to your taste. If not, then sod ya.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yeah, a man comfortable in his own skin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3727,"template":"","festival":[31],"class_list":["post-3729","act","type-act","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","festival-31"],"acf":{"website":"http:\/\/www.themissionuk.com\/","facebook_url":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/themissionuk","spotify_url":"","date":null,"begin":"","end":"","location":"","amphi_festival_premiere":false},"yoast_head":"\n