More punk, and less pop is what Sum 41 is serving up in Order in Decline, their latest release and tour.
Sum 41
While other seasoned pop punk bands have gotten decidedly more pop. Deryck Whibley, with each iteration of Sum 41’s releases, moves more towards hardcore punk. Punk heads welcome this transition with open and sweaty arms.
Their newest album’s “Order in Decline” pointed lyrics; anti-establishment references; and decries are what punk rock, at its foundation, is all about. As a body of work, the album’s theme serves as an outlet for Whibley’s anger. His relatable lyrics express his angst about the current socio-political failings in the United States and beyond.
Sum 41
Seriousness aside, it was the humorous and unexpected moments throughout the show that made it a stand out. For example when Whibley announced, a “guitar solo” and all 4 guitars, including bass; simultaneously partook in the “solo.”
I was informed on the down-low that Whibley was going to make a surprise entrance from an exterior door! A few, short minutes later, Whibley came bursting into the audience. Quickly darting to a tiny sub-stage at the very back of the room. This area was easily overlooked until that moment when it became an unexpected stage. He commented that THAT area was now the “front row.”
Sum 41
For the encore, Whibley bowed his head and asked for a moment of silence. It was in reverence to the ‘Canadian National Anthem.’ With that, the band launched into an epic encore replete with special effects, confetti and streamers, for a larger than life performance of their legendary track “Fat Lip.”
Surprisingly of the 19 songs performed only three were from their latest release. With their harder edge, I wanted to see more of the new stuff. Thankfully, I can turn to their Order In Decline LP to satisfy that need.
Sum 41
At the end of the show, the lights came up, and fans channeled out of the room. With roughly ten percent of the audience lingering, a surprise band unexpectedly seized the stage! We were all confused, was this some sort of after-show band? A hair-metal spandex-clad band with exaggerated and corny British accents began to play. It was P4P! Sum 41’s alter-ego metal band, and they were utterly hilarious.
Sum 41
Check out Order in Decline on Hopeless Records. You too will be sucked into the vortex of this album’s greatness.