REVIEW: Pennywise – Never Gonna Die (Album)

Pennywise are celebrating thirty years as a band and what better way to mark this occasion than to release another blistering set of punk anthems. The Hermosa Beach, California band have never stopped delivering the goods with their music, constantly making albums full of high octane and feel good punk songs and they continue to do this with their latest album Never Gonna Die.

Much like fellow California punk legends Bad Religion, is very much a case of if it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it with the music of Pennywise but when it is delivered with as passion as it is here then it is hard not to mind them doing so. Never Gonna Die shares the same energy as the bands classic albums like their self titled debut album, About Time and Full Circle.

The album blasts into action with the full throttle title track of the album and doesn’t let up as a barrage of melodic and upbeat punk songs fly by in a whirlwind of vitality, only letting up for the occasional mid paced groove. Songs like Keep Moving On, Can’t Be Ignored and Goodbye Bad Times are all prime Pennywise anthems full of life and positivity and even more melancholic songs like All The Ways U Can Die are still full to the brim with positive vibes. The icing in the cake on this album has to be Live While You Can, a stone cold punk anthem that will surely become a staple in the bands live sets.

Never Gonna Die is an aptly titled album for Pennywise who are a band who over the years have suffered tragedy in their careers but have overcome it to keep on releasing life affirming music like they do here and long may they continue to do so.