IN REVIEW
THE LAST DINNER PARTY
'FROM THE PYRE'
“ From The Pyre isn’t a departure but a continuation of The Last Dinner Party’s vision, a multi-layered, unpredictable, and subtly confident album that balances theatrical flair with baroque rock sophistication. It’s full of twists, turns, and moments that reveal something new with every listen.”
Photo: Rachell Smith
The Last Dinner Party return with their sophomore album, 'From the Pyre'. A ten track journey through a reflection of the world through the eyes of characters that Abigail portrays throughout the album. The new album feels very much like the sequel to The Last Dinner Party's debut album 'Prelude To Ecstasy'. Even though everything seems more focused and purposeful, the drama and theatrics that characterised their debut are still present. The vocals, which have the same theatrical vibe but are rooted in something honest and intimate.
Kicking off the journey into a very complex album, with almost whimsical vocals on 'Agnus Dei', reminiscent of Kate Bush, contrasting against the actual lyrics. Story telling is still just as powerful as their last album.
Kicking off the journey into a very complex album, with almost whimsical vocals on 'Agnus Dei', reminiscent of Kate Bush, contrasting against the actual lyrics. Story telling is still just as powerful as their last album.
There are multiple layers to the feel of the album, each track providing its own nuance to the mix. 'Count The Ways' feels almost timeless. The instrumentals and vocal harmonies from the backing vocals adding a relaxing edge that makes it a great track to sit back and relax with. While, 'This Is The Killer Speaking' has a varied mix of styles from carefree 80s popstyle mixed with a touch of a country twang at times. With the theatrics vocals from Abigail making this a real treat for the ears.
They experiment with contrast throughout. Rifle, starts of slowly, evoking sombre imagery of a soldier stained red with the stains of war. Very thought provoking and particularly poignant. Whereas 'Woman Is A Tree' shows the band's more experimental side with the unconventional intro of the band starting with a hum then breaking into a shout all while holding the tune, building towards the opening bars of the song is a very interesting concept and works well to grab the attention.
They experiment with contrast throughout. Rifle, starts of slowly, evoking sombre imagery of a soldier stained red with the stains of war. Very thought provoking and particularly poignant. Whereas 'Woman Is A Tree' shows the band's more experimental side with the unconventional intro of the band starting with a hum then breaking into a shout all while holding the tune, building towards the opening bars of the song is a very interesting concept and works well to grab the attention.
One of the stand out tracks is 'Second Best', it is the heaviest of the songs on the album with some awesome riffery, not surprising when you consider this track was written by guitarist Emily Roberts. It is a cracking track and is also the latest single to be released from Pyre.
There is plenty for fans to discover here, as I said earlier the album isn't in anyway a departure from their debut and feels more of a continuation.
Harnessing The Last Dinner Party's strengths and super focussing on them. The theatrical performances are still very much front and the band have done a great job keeping the balance between musical theatre performance and a stage ready baroque style rock album.
Its not your usual rock album, it is full of twists and turns and is definitely something that you can push play on over and over and still hear something different every time. It is multi-layered, unpredictable, and subtly confident.
There is plenty for fans to discover here, as I said earlier the album isn't in anyway a departure from their debut and feels more of a continuation.
Harnessing The Last Dinner Party's strengths and super focussing on them. The theatrical performances are still very much front and the band have done a great job keeping the balance between musical theatre performance and a stage ready baroque style rock album.
Its not your usual rock album, it is full of twists and turns and is definitely something that you can push play on over and over and still hear something different every time. It is multi-layered, unpredictable, and subtly confident.
Pre-order From The Pyre here.
Tickets for The Last Dinner Party’s tour are available here
Outstore Live Dates:
17th October – The Level, Nottingham (w/ Rough Trade) *Matinee* - SOLD OUT
17th October - The Level, Nottingham (w/ Rough Trade) *Evening* - SOLD OUT
19th October – 1865, Southampton (w/ Vinilo Records) – SOLD OUT
20th October – HMV Empire, Coventry (w/ HMV) – SOLD OUT
22nd October – Live House, Dundee (w/ Assai) – SOLD OUT
23rd October – The Dome, Liverpool (w/ Rough Trade) – SOLD OUT
UK Headline Tour:
14th November – 3Arena, Dublin
17th November – Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
18th November - Barrowland, Glasgow
20th November – O2 City Hall, Newcastle
21st November – Octagon, Sheffield
23rd November – Bridlington Spa, Bridlington
25th November – UEA, Norwich
26th November – Aviva Studios, Manchester
29th November – The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
30th November – The Prospect Building, Bristol - SOLD OUT
2nd December – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
4th December – Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth
5th December – Brighton Centre, Brighton
7th December – O2 Academy Brixton, London - SOLD OUT
8th December – O2 Academy Brixton, London
2026
10th January – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
13th January – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
15th January – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
17th January – ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney
19th January – Riverstage, Brisbane
22nd January – Spark Arena, Auckland
8th February – Colisieu dos Recreios, Lisbon
10th February – Sala La Riviera, Madrid
11th February – Razzmatazz, Barcelona
13th February – Fabrique, Milan
14th February – The Hall, Zurich
16th February – Zenith, Munich
17th February – Forum Karlín, Prague
19th February – Gasometer, Vienna
20th February – COS Torwar, Warsaw
22nd February – UFO im Velodrom, Berlin
23rd February – Palladium, Cologne
25th February – Le Zénith, Paris
27th February – Forest National, Brussels
1st March – AFAS Live, Amsterdam
3rd March – Vega, Copenhagen - SOLD OUT
4th March – Fållan, Stockholm
6th March – Sentrum Scene, Oslo
Tickets for The Last Dinner Party’s tour are available here
Outstore Live Dates:
17th October – The Level, Nottingham (w/ Rough Trade) *Matinee* - SOLD OUT
17th October - The Level, Nottingham (w/ Rough Trade) *Evening* - SOLD OUT
19th October – 1865, Southampton (w/ Vinilo Records) – SOLD OUT
20th October – HMV Empire, Coventry (w/ HMV) – SOLD OUT
22nd October – Live House, Dundee (w/ Assai) – SOLD OUT
23rd October – The Dome, Liverpool (w/ Rough Trade) – SOLD OUT
UK Headline Tour:
14th November – 3Arena, Dublin
17th November – Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
18th November - Barrowland, Glasgow
20th November – O2 City Hall, Newcastle
21st November – Octagon, Sheffield
23rd November – Bridlington Spa, Bridlington
25th November – UEA, Norwich
26th November – Aviva Studios, Manchester
29th November – The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
30th November – The Prospect Building, Bristol - SOLD OUT
2nd December – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
4th December – Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth
5th December – Brighton Centre, Brighton
7th December – O2 Academy Brixton, London - SOLD OUT
8th December – O2 Academy Brixton, London
2026
10th January – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
13th January – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
15th January – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
17th January – ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney
19th January – Riverstage, Brisbane
22nd January – Spark Arena, Auckland
8th February – Colisieu dos Recreios, Lisbon
10th February – Sala La Riviera, Madrid
11th February – Razzmatazz, Barcelona
13th February – Fabrique, Milan
14th February – The Hall, Zurich
16th February – Zenith, Munich
17th February – Forum Karlín, Prague
19th February – Gasometer, Vienna
20th February – COS Torwar, Warsaw
22nd February – UFO im Velodrom, Berlin
23rd February – Palladium, Cologne
25th February – Le Zénith, Paris
27th February – Forest National, Brussels
1st March – AFAS Live, Amsterdam
3rd March – Vega, Copenhagen - SOLD OUT
4th March – Fållan, Stockholm
6th March – Sentrum Scene, Oslo
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