Just as the intro to lead single ‘Rize of the Fenix’ says; “when The Pick of Destiny was released it was a bomb”. The ‘Mighty D’ have been away for quite a while since their last effort quite accurately… bombed, and I think that’s one of the main reasons that this album works.

Although Tenacious D (without a doubt in the world) certainly rock, they are first and foremost a comedy outlet. Comedy/Parody bands have notoriously short shelf-lives but absence as they say, makes the heart grow fonder. It helps that the songs on offer here are both funny and good though!

So it’s a pretty standard format for those who have heard the band before. There are some great songs on here, ranging from straight out rockers, electro-pop and even some Spanish influenced tunes. These are interspersed with the commentary from Hollywood Jack and The Rage Cage which is of course hilarious and explicit in equal large measures. Plenty of F-bombs here!

Stand-out tracks include the title track lead single which has been out for a while and ‘Death Star’ is a great heavy riff monster which is just as good. Tenacious D join in the age old tradition of bands like Motorhead and Lamb of God by paying tribute to the road crew in ‘Roadie’ but they attack it from a slightly different angle! Acoustic numbers focussed on the lyrical genius are plentiful too. Notably, the rivalry between Cage and Hollywood is played out in ‘The ballad of Hollywood Jack and Rage the Cage’. Who knows how close to the truth it is?

I won’t spoil the spoken word bits for you but rest assured they will have you laughing for the first few listens at least.

It’s a very welcome return to form for Tenacious D, and there are plenty of worthy additions to the live shows that are looming very soon. This album is up there with their first one for sure.

8/10

The Rise of the Fenix is out now!

Also try: Steel Panther, Foo Fighters.