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I have to say, hearing for the first time a Trouble album without the distinctive voice of Eric Wagner feels uncomfortably odd. Not that recently recruited Kyle Thomas isn’t a great singer. Far from it. Indeed it is with fondness that I remember my school days listening to, amongst other records, Exhorder’s “Slaughter in the Vatican”. If anything Kyle’s singing sounds more mature and ever so powerful now than then. How one reacts to this album probably depends on whether it is appreciated with a wide-angled view or examined closely.

First a few words about the music... “The Distortion Field” often got me thinking of bands such as Orange Goblin and, to a lesser degree, High on Fire. There’s even a Soundgarden-type of angst, particularly in ‘Have I Told You’. At the end of the day it’s the album’s magnificent riffs that remind us who we are really listening to.

Songs such as the epic ‘One Life’ or the groovy and psychedelic ‘Glass of Lies’ I really liked. Others, such as ‘Sink Or Swim’ and ‘Have I Told You’ I ended up skipping through after the first few listens. So I do have mixed feelings for “The Distortion Field” but don’t misinterpret my scepticism: the album has a fantastic sound and the band members, particularly guitarists Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell, are still at the top of their game. Taken as a whole, though, the music sounds rather... normal.

I’m sure “The Distortion Field” will win over new fans but seasoned Trouble fans should approach the album with an open mind.

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