Dead Freights treated their fans to a Halloween thrill last week, with the release of their new single ‘Do the Gruesome’ on Gary Powell’s (The Libertines) label 25 Hour Convenience Store.

‘Do the Gruesome’ is the first release in the new era of the Southampton-based band, as they prepare to launch their debut album ‘Little Death Project’.

Featuring Charlie James (Guitar and vocals) Louis Duarte (Drums) and Brogan Turner (Bass), It’s a raw and gritty song ready for the dusky venues and pubs the trio grace up and down the country.

Recorded at Station 65 by Boof Tuesday, this is the first release for the indie rockers since the Fury Tape EP last year. Accompanying the track is a gothic, Halloween- inspired music video.

The dusky video depicts Charlie James as a vampire, biting into his prey when Duarte catches him in the act. The rest of the video, filmed and edited by Peter Lydon, then follows the pair meandering their way through the cobbled streets of a moonlit Winchester, with Duarte on the run from an ever-pursuing Vampire James.

The video was shot on October 30th and released in time for Halloween on October 31st .

The track starts with a booming riff and drum combo. As with much of the Dead Freights work, the music is riff driven with the bass and drums layering to build a strong rhythm section.

As the track progresses Bueller sings “Do do the gruesome. On me” over the top of a distorted, teeth clenching screech from the guitar. He continues “But the judas, smooches on my cheeks. You say religion. I say fan fictions oh before we melt in the heat. Of the fusion. Do the gruesome on me”. The lyrics continue to chime along with hi-hats, split by the familiar crashes of the drum and guitar reminiscent of the intro.

In the second verse, frontman James sings a baritone octave underneath the vocals, brilliantly harmonising with himself. Even more impressive is the fact he recorded this in one take. There’s also a nod to King Lear in the song, with the line “Don’t give me reason or need”.

The band is known for combining riff-driven songs with provocative lyrics and this is no different. Priding themselves on their ability to produce true punk and rock music in a music industry oversaturated in acts that are afraid to push limits, Dead Freights display their personal feelings through their art and aren’t afraid to show this.

In this song and video, you can sense their sensitivities taking centre-stage and is certainly the driving force behind the lyricism. The high-energy riffs and drums are ever-present throughout the track.

Those who have experienced Dead Freights in their live shows will be familiar with this song. It has featured in their gigs for the last couple of years, if not longer.

Talking of the new track, Frontman James told The Songbird HQ “Do the gruesome has been a long time coming for us. It’s definitely rocky for us, but it’s as salacious as it is violent. That’s a classic Freights combo really.”

He continues “The song signifies a lot to us as it’s the first of the three singles leading up to our debut album release. It’s been a struggle to get it over the line, but it’s the start of what we were supposed to be doing”.

In a Songbird HQ exclusive, Dead Freights confirmed to us the next single, coming soon, will be a Blitztown Bop. A hit based on their Southampton heritage and experiences from their youth.

‘Do the Gruesome’ feels like a new phase in the already long history of Dead Freights. They’ve entered this new era with a loud, booming hit whilst simultaneously allowing their emotional side to take control of the wheel.

Bueller and Duarte have been on a long journey and multiple iterations of the band together, but it’s this ever-present bond of theirs that is the driving force in the band still existing and producing new music. Now teamed with Turner, ‘Do the Gruesome’ feels like the start of an exciting journey which will culminate in the debut album ‘Little Death Project’.

WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE NOW

Review and photos by Brad Halcrow for THE SONGBIRD HQ