Punk rock band Max Raptor, are celebrating ten years in the business with the launch of their brand new self-titled album the same day they play a gig in Kinston.

This album brings a breath of fresh air to the band, and vocalist Wil Ray is chomping at the bit for fans to hear the band’s new sound.

He said: “We’re so excited to get this album out, new label, new producer, self-titled record – can’t wait. It’s still Max Raptor totally, through and through but it feels like progression. We wanted to capture our live sound again and reckon it’s right there.”

All four members of the band (Pete Reisner, drums, Ben Winnington, guitar, and Matt Stevenson, bass) had input in writing the new tracks, and they worked with a new producer, Jag Jago, to create “a progression in sound” that they’re all proud to have been a part of.

Wil said: “Lots of the tracks stick with our sentiment. Political tracks and themes that are personal to us.”

Max Raptor have always worked to make their songs relatable for their audience, and their latest single, Big Divide, is no different, discussing issues on personal and global levels, including the current refugee crisis.

Wil said: “It feels important to write about issues that matter to everyone, not in a preachy way but in a resonant way. If I hear something I can relate to, I get into a song way more.”

Since the birth of the band in 2006, Max Raptor have played tours and festivals both mainstream and niche – even going so far as to streaming a performance online from the bedroom of a fan, Barney Hall, following an intense Facebook campaign.

Their fan base has only been on the up since then, with their music spreading to the Middle East, South Africa, the US and across Europe, and enjoying recent radio play on Radio 1.

With such a widespread audience, Wil finds it hard to narrow down his favourite area: “We’ve just got really cool fans who get the music and go nuts no matter what night of the week it is or if they have work in the morning.”

The band’s members have changed a few times in the last ten years, which Wil, band member of seven years, feels keeps the music fresh.

He said: “It's quite weird listening to each album one after the other, there's a progression in our songwriting definitely but it's hard to put a finger on it. You'll have to listen.”

Max Raptor’s new album is out on Friday, April 22. They play The Cricketers in Kingston on the same day. Go to thecricketerskingston.co.uk

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