Wikipedia

Westgate Under Fire

Westgate Under Fire is the third studio album by Welsh ragga metal band Dub War, released on 5 August 2022 via Earache Records. It is the first album of new material by the band since Wrong Side of Beautiful in 1996.

Westgate Under Fire
Studio album by
Dub War
Released5 August 2022 (2022-08-05)
Recorded2016–2022
Genre
Length47:45
LabelEarache
ProducerRichard "Action" Jackson
Dub War chronology
Wrong Side of Beautiful
(1996) 		Westgate Under Fire
(2022)
Singles from Westgate Under Fire
  1. "Fun Done"
    Released: 2 March 2016
  2. "Blackkk Man"
    Released: 2 March 2022
  3. "War Inna Babylon"
    Released: 13 April 2022
Westgate Under Fire ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Kerrang!4/5[2]
Louder Sound[1]

Background

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After their split in 1999, 3/4 of the band went on to form Skindred, however only frontman Benji Webbe remained by 2004. In 2014, the group reunited for a limited number of shows with Mikee Gregory on live drums.[4][5] This was followed in March 2016 with the single "Fun Done"[6] and "Making a Monster" in October that year. This was initially planned to be part of a series of singles that would eventually culminate in a full album through independent label Saint Ringland Records.[7]

However, these plans eventually fell through until 2022, when the group announced Westgate Under Fire, inspired by the events of the Newport Rising, and important moment in the Chartist movement.[8][9] The group reunited with Earache Records to release the album,[10] and recruited a host of drummers to perform on the album alongside Gregory. The first single, "Blackkk Man", was released on 2 March 2022. The track was inspired by the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests.[11] Previous stand-alone single "Fun Done" is included on the album, while "Making a Monster" was renamed "Mary Shelley".

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Benji Webbe, Jeff Rose and Richie Glover

Westgate Under Fire track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Blackkk Man"3:30
2."War Inna Babylon" (Max Romeo and The Upsetters cover, featuring Ranking Roger)3:41
3."Vibes in the Place"3:48
4."Art of War" (featuring Spike T. Smith)2:11
5."Reveal It" (featuring Roy Mayorga)4:50
6."Mary Shelley"4:13
7."Bite Back" (featuring Dave Chavarri)3:18
8."Coffin Lid"3:52
9."Crying Clowns" (featuring Jamie Miller and Mikey Doling)3:18
10."Get Back Up" (featuring Mike Bordin)3:55
11."Fun Done"3:29
12."Stay Together" (Al Green cover)4:19
13."Celtic Cross" (featuring Tanner Wayne)3:21
Total length:47:45

Personnel

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Charts

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Chart performance for Westgate Under Fire
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[12] 27
UK Albums (OCC)[13] 49
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[14] 2
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[15] 1

References

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  1. ^ a b Hill, Stephen (2 August 2022). "Dub War's Westgate Under Fire: metal's original soundclash kings return to reclaim their crown". Louder Sound. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b Travers, Paul (3 August 2022). "Album review: Dub War – Westgate Under Fire". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  3. ^ Phil Alexander, "RIP Alan Lewis: Kerrang! founder and British publishing legend", Kerrang!, 24 June 2021 Archived 2 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 July 2021
  4. ^ Dub War reunite for Download Festival 2015 Archived 3 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Virtual Festivals. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  5. ^ Nicky Wire and Newport band Dub War to feature at Velvet Coalmine festival Archived 5 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine, South Wales Argus. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  6. ^ Listen to a brand new song by Dub War Archived 21 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine TeamRock. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  7. ^ Skindred's Benji Webbe has reformed Dub War and plans to release 12 records Archived 19 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Wales Online. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  8. ^ Carter, Emily (2 March 2022). "Benji Webbe's Dub War return with first album of all-new material in over 25 years". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  9. ^ Ranson, Gerry (2 March 2022). "Dub War Return". Vive Le Rock. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Dub War". Earache Records. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  11. ^ DUB WAR To Release First Album Of New Material In Over 25 Years Archived 5 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine Blabbermouth.net. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
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