In June 1988, James and Sensible rejoined the group temporarily for three live appearances, including a concert at the London Town and Country Club which was released the following year as the album Final Damnation. [51] Brannigan, Paul (22 May 2023). "Algy Ward, former bassist with Tank, The Damned and The Saints, dead at 63". Loudersound.com. Punk stalwarts new album is full of sophistication and fire, adding a quality addition to their recorded legacy.

There is an urgency and pop sensibility to ‘From Your Lips’ but its more than that, it has a gothic feel to it that rises the song up, giving it a class all of its own. It has a catchy tune and chorus along with some terrific guitar work. Fabulous. Whilst the Damned started life as what was to become part of the punk movement they have never really stood still musically. They have evolved (or perhaps that should be mutated) and developed into a fully rounded band bristling with talent that are difficult to categorise into one particular musical genre. Their live shows never disappoint either! The Damned release new single and video 'You're Gonna Realise' from new album Darkadelic. Music-News.com. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023. It’s a stunningly ambitious conclusion to an album that captures The Damned bursting through yet another artistic glass ceiling. An early contender for Album Of The Year that could be considered the band’s finest yet. Vanian’s ambitions for The Damned, meanwhile, remain firmly rooted in banishing persistent, if misguided, preconceptions.

On 22 October, five weeks before the release of the Sex Pistols' " Anarchy in the U.K.", Stiff Records put out the Damned's first single, " New Rose", thus making them the first UK punk band to release a single. The single's B-side was a fast-paced cover of the Beatles' " Help!". [29] "New Rose" was described by critic Ned Raggett as a "deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst". [30] I can understand that point of view,” Captain says, nodding. “But Brian and Rat always were the anarchic side of the band. I saw my job as a bass player on the first album was to hold them together and stop them going off in different directions.”

Inspired by the fact that some fans choose to have Smash It Up played at their funeral – not to mention the recent loss of “force of nature” Nik Turner – Wake The Dead calls for a celebration of lives lost rather than a descent into abject misery. The Damned Talk 40 Years of Shapeshifting Punk. Rolling Stone. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2023. The Damned also have one up on the Pistols by virtue of the fact that the Damned are still together to put out their 12th studio album, Darkadelic. Of course, the Damned only have two original members at this point, those being frontman Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible, who has played multiple instruments over the years but currently serves as the band’s guitarist. But still, having two original members who are willing to talk to each other still puts you one up on the Sex Pistols. Badgley, Aaron (27 April 2023). " The Spill Magazine Review". The Spill Magazine . Retrieved 6 May 2023. Hanna, Robert (31 October 2011). "THE DAMNED, THE CUTE LEPERS AT SHOWBOX MARKET". SSGMusic . Retrieved 26 May 2021.

Garage band they may be, but they are one of the best in that case. Western Promise for example, echoes the darker love songs that The Damned dip into; it’s a delicious song, with some lovely brass and keyboard work adding to the overall atmosphere. Tabb, George (16 September 2001). "Q&A with the Damned's Captain Sensible". NYPress.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014 . Retrieved 4 July 2015. The Damned: an epic tale of fast living and faster music". LouderSound. 26 October 2017 . Retrieved 8 December 2022. The whole of this album is layered in thoughtfulness and maturity, definitely very ‘Darkadelic!’ There certainly is more fire in it than its predecessor ‘Evil Spirits’ which should appeal to existing fans and hopefully attract a new audience.