"Orchestra of Wolves" is the debut studio album by British punk band, Gallows. It was released in 2006 on the In at the Deep End label and produced by Banks. The line-up for the album was Frank Carter (vocals), Laurent Barnard (guitar/keyboards), Steph Carter (guitar), Stuart Gili-Ross (bass) and Lee Barratt (drums).

"Kill the Rhythm" gets the album off to a fast start with loud guitars and screaming vocals. It won't be to everyone's taste; some will say it's just noise. Gallows goes over the top with the often distorted guitars but it's still a fun opener.

"Come Friendly Bombs" is a catchy song, with lyrics regarding trouble in the neighbourhood where they live, not unlike The Jam's "Going Underground" in that everyone's ugly and out to cause trouble, while you just want a quiet life. Although having said that, the two songs sound nothing like each other because of the obvious genre clashes.

"Abandon Ship" is a song that states the obvious in its title, although the lyrics suggest that it's really about a relationship that's going wrong. There's some really good use of double bass on the drums here, and the guitars are completely over the top, as is Frank Carter vocals. This is one of my favourite songs on the album for its lyrics.

"In the Belly of a Shark" is perhaps Gallows' most well-known song, having also been released as a single and peaking at No.56 in the UK singles charts. It's a quieter melody, which borders on the hard rock edge of genres with keyboards playing a prominent role, as well as a classic heavy metal guitar riff.

"Six Years" starts off slow but eventually gets going into a full-bodied song. The lyrics are dark and confusing, but I'm going to guess the song is about a family which has a new addition (Stepfather) and how he walks out on them, leaving their mother to pick up the pieces again with her sons by her side. It may be a lyrically powerful song, but it's also a light enjoyment at the same time.

"Rolling With the Punches" hits all the right notes, musically, as you get a togetherness of guitars and drums, backed by Frank Carter's unmistakeable vocals. This is one of the better songs on the album, and has chipper keyboard sounds over the top of the guitars.

"Last Fight For the Living Dead" is a 62-second moody instrumental song, which splits the album into a little bit of breathing space before the next record. Nothing special here, but it somehow works well.

"Just Because You Sleep Next to Me Doesn't Mean You're Safe" is, as you'd expect, a sombre song about wanting to end a relationship by any means necessary. One part of the relationship has been cheated on, and the other has been domestically abused. It's basically what works for one will work for another; in other words, both people in the relationship are saying it.

"Will Someone Shoot that F**king Snake" is the highlight of the album. It's a song with plenty of expletives in it, and is a song about either hatred or envy for someone known or someone in the public eye; it's not really made known.

"Stay Cold" is a fast-paced one minute escapade into the dark depths of Gallows. The song apparently deals with wanting to get even with someone who stole the band's merchandise from a show in Watford. It's a song that goes by so fast, you hardly notice it's gone and still think it's playing when you're halfway through the next one.

"I Promise This Won't Hurt" is another very fast record, which carries on where "Stay Cold" left off. As I've previously said, the two blend together quite well, and this is another of those songs which leave me wanting more than the 100 seconds it takes to listen to.

The final song is also the titular track. "Orchestra of Wolves" is the best song on the album. It rolls along at a steady pace with a hard-hitting guitar riff right until it ends. The lyrics may be nonsensical, but as a song, it very clearly works.

In summary, this is an album that a lot of punk fans will like. Lyrically, it's dark, broody and often strange. Musically, it's tight, full-bodied and sometimes clangy. But that's what makes the album what it is. It's certainly not pretty but full credit to the band for going out there and recording this album. I definitely recommend it to anyone. Just don't say I didn't warm you first!

1. Kill the Rhythm
2. Come Friendly Bombs
3. Abandon Ship
4. In the Belly of a Shark
5. Six Years
6. Rolling With the Punches
7. Last Fight For the Living Dead
8. Just Because You Sleep Next to Me Doesn't Mean You're Safe
9. Will Someone Shoot That F**king Snake
10. Stay Cold
11. I Promise This Won't Hurt
12. Orchestra of Wolves

My rating: 7/10