Pendulum - 'Inertia' - Album Review

Lighthouse Music
Aug 23
3 min read

BACKGROUND. You know over here we are not just about metal or heavy music in general but tend to follow the wider alternative scene, and as far as its more electronic spectrum is concerned, few acts shine brighter than Pendulum. Relatively quiet for more than a decade, a new album was bound to be released at some point, but with certain tracks out for over 5 years and mixed in within several sporadic EPs, we can be forgiven for doubting we will ever get a new LP from Rob Swire and the gang. And just like that, fifteen (!) years since the last one, Inertia is officially the new full lenght record by Pendulum out in the world as the musical continuation of that monumental Immersion (2010) and a welcome reminder of just how damn good they are.

BAND. Pendulum reigniting the music industry once again was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card. That same good old Rob Swire with his iconic live shows, that same band that simultaneously revived and killed the drum'n'bass scene (according to certain dnb fanatics out there), revolutionised the wider EDM world, and even left a lasting mark across the alternative and heavy music (we love them over there), alive and kicking in 2025? One of the biggest global Aussie exports of the new millennium, the act certainly is here to stay, back at its prime form, and once again dropping a generation-defining and genre-defying album classic for the ages.

ALBUM. As a whole, Inertia is the perfect sonic successor to the wild journey that was Immersion, its only logical continuation with all the raw energy, supercharged focus and nostalgic charm of the timeless original, channeled into a brand new faultless collection of immortal singles. The record exudes that signature Pendulum take on the dnb genre, fuelled by big beat influences, house allure, EDM hooks and pop polish, but also metal tropes, rock drive, industrial flavour and punk attitude, for another beautifuly volatile blend of styles and ideas. Big, loud and intense on one side, but also gentle, aethereal and immersive on the other, its a musical thrill ride packed with sharp turns, huge leaps and unforgettable adrenaline rush from start for finish.

SONGS. Absolute party right from the first minute, the already legendary pit-starting ralying cry "We go back with a track called Driver" immediately bringing us to the origins with a subtle nod to the beautiful Hold Your Colour memories, all the way to the trademark epic Pendulum album closer 'Cartagena'. Between that, we get everything for industrial raves like 'Come Alive' and envigorating liquid anthems 'Nothing For Free' and 'Colourfast', to the Prodigy-esque bangers 'Napalm' and 'Cannibal', and electro-pop offerings like 'Arcangel' and 'Silent Spinner'. There are also the must-have cross-scene collabs, from unleashing metalcore royalty Matt Tuck (BFMV) on 'Halo' as the new-era 'Self vs Self', and alt-rock cult heroes AWOLNATION, to teaming up with trap metal hero Scarlxrd on the absolute highlight 'Mercy Killing', DnB trendsetters Hybrid Minds and even the likes of Wargasm... Perfection.

FUTURE. Can't see Pendulum going back to frequent LP drops but also cannot see Rob Swire ever stepping away from the music world and what he does best, be it here, Knife Party or another brilliant creative outlet. The industry, the audience, the world are all chaning with staggering pace, but Pendulum remains an institution at the very core of the wider alternative scene, ever so relevant and reliable. Inertia is a gift to the class of 2005 that tuned in twenty years ago and never changed the frequency, but for a brand new crowd it might also be an introduction into the wonderful world of one of the finest live and studio acts of the generation.