As a disclaimer, Batmobile are tough to review. They’re the ubiquitous sound of psychobilly, loved by pretty much everyone with the inclination to enjoy Rock n Roll and famed for their energetic live shows…and you can probably already imagine what this album sounds like just from hearing the name ‘Batmobile’. So, what can the trio bring to the table after forty years of invigorating the neo and psycho scenes with ‘Back From Tremor’? A sense of appreciation for where they’ve been, and a steely resolve to make the best damn music they can, that’s what. ‘Back From Tremor’ has less silliness, and a lot more determination, than we’d expect, which makes it an absolutely brilliant outing from Batmobile. 

Their Rock n Roll roots are evidently on their mind, and channelled into a pair of fabulous songs that feels like a flyer nailed to a wall. ‘Nothing Beats Rock n Roll’, they declare, listing off their favourite lyrics with snapping determination on a track that whips by at breakneck speed. On the flip side, we’ve got ‘Rock n Roll is Never Too Loud’, their statement about where they are now: still being the “rock n roll bastards” dipping between a whole well of twanging bass from Erik Haamers into quick fire solos from Jeroen Haamers on guitar. 

Despite the clenched muscle energy that ties this record together, there’s plenty of the classic Batmobile whimsy to lighten the mood. ‘Monkey Farts’ is immature fun that we can’t deny that we’ll be wrecking to next time we see Batmobile live, and ‘Jungle Stroll’ fits perfectly into the Batmobile sound that we love, crammed with tribal beats and exotic rhythms. ‘Detonate The Night’ is bound to be the opening song on future Batmobile setlists with it’s party starting daring and dual vocal flips that work so well as a hallmark of their sound. 

It’s the jittering, serious sound that we welcome from ‘Back From Tremor’ though: ‘Saying Goodbye’ has one hell of a catchy guitar hook and tells of the decision to dump a troublesome partner, and ‘I’m Fine’ scorches with barely contained rage about the desire to be alone, the descendant of early track ‘Mad At You’. 

They might be older and wiser after so many years of rockin’, but Batmobile have never lost any of their power. ‘Back From Tremor’ is no exception and keeps the bar high for psychobilly, full of dedication to giving the people exactly what they want from a new Batmobile album, and with enough twists to make sure they’re never confined to a single label. Long may they keep bringing their unique slant and passion to the world!

Kate Allvey

Buy ‘Back From Tremor’ here