As A Rival are back – and they’re here to kick the door down with their second full length album, ‘Griefers‘ – which will see its release into the world on Friday November 2. Today, they are heralding its imminent arrival into the world with anthemic new single ‘What We Got‘. Pre-Orders for the album will go live this Friday September 21, with the single available for streaming and purchase same day. All Pre-Order links and streaming options will be at asarival.com.
The new single What We Got blasts away from As A Rival’s usual vein of punk rock showing a maturity and diversity in their songwriting, delivering a power punk ballad that will hit even the hardest of hearts. It’s about when someone you love is struggling through a dark time in their lives, holding onto the tiniest of threads, and doing everything possible to comfort them through it. It is an anthem about holding on to the good around you when you’re almost ready to give in to the flames.
Pete Cerni, vocalist for the band, said that “There are times when we are tested – things that we love, that we live for are put to the sword and we’re left to question ‘is it all worth it’? It’s hard not to focus on the negative. It’s hard enough when it’s your own fight, but watching it happen to someone close to you can be debilitating and make you feel helpless. What We Got addresses the internal struggle that comes with failed attempts to try and comfort those in need.”
‘Griefers’ is a gaming term used to describe those who play alongside you only to turn against you, cause you pain and hinder your progress. The same can be used to describe the people we let into our lives. Pete explains, “We go through life meeting people. Connecting with them. Let them in, share with them our passions, our dreams. Some people glide in and out naturally, but others will smile at you while they fight to destroy everything you’ve built.” ‘Griefers’ encompasses the hurt you have to face to crawl out of the mess and deal with the aftermath. Life is about the fight for what you believe in. ‘Griefers’ acknowledges these trying times – the times when you do fall but that it’s ok, as long as you climb even higher as a result.
Recorded at Homesurgery Recordings, the album was produced by Tom Larkin (Shihad) with Sam K Sproull and Jon Grace. The sessions started out with a challenge – complete 50 demos within a 2 month period. A challenge that was met with gusto. 50+ songs later having explored a myriad of styles touched on in previous releases, these sessions enabled As A Rival to hone their craft and evolve their sound. The result: a 12 song punk rock deluge, tackling themes of betrayal, deceit and defiance
‘Griefers’ pays homage to a number of influences and genres culminating into what is As A Rival’s best release to date. From the raw gallop of lead single, ‘Bring Out The Dead’ to the power and grace of ‘What We Got’. The anthemic hooks of ‘Head In The Clouds’ to the burst of energy that is ‘Coup De Main’. The album is full of riffs, hooks and sing-along choruses that keep you coming back for more.
They have seamlessly collected the promises from their debut album ‘By Design’ and set them on fire, constructing a new sound from the ashes. ‘Griefers’ is not just a collection of songs, but a statement, a stamp in time outlining the challenges that have landed in their path. However, instead of dwelling on the issues and letting it hold them back, it’s time to let go. They decided to let the past die – kill it if you have to. Pete Cerni (vox/guitar) and Nathan Wheatley (drums) are joined by Johnny Beech (guitar) and Paul Trevorrow (bass) to deliver a powerfully polished punk rock album. After the tease of previous releases, what remains is a certainty and drive that screams that they are the rival they have always threatened to be.
