“Ryan Smith’s unmistakable early-’90s alternative vocal sits right at the intersection of Greg Norton’s commanding bass presence and Derek O’Brien’s driving rhythm.”
The video for “Look Forward In Anger” is built around performance footage, but it’s not just a straightforward rehearsal-room shoot. Intercut throughout are projected images of street protests—crowds of people carrying signs, standing shoulder to shoulder, and moving forward together. At times, the band performs directly in front of these visuals, placing their performance inside the larger context of public frustration and collective action without turning it into a literal storyline.
Ryan Smith handles lead vocals, and his voice defines the track. There’s a distinctly early-’90s alternative sound to it—clear, melodic, and grounded—very much in line with his work in Soul Asylum. He doesn’t oversing or force the delivery. He lets the melody carry the message, which gives the song a balance between punk urgency and alternative rock structure. His guitar playing follows the same approach—tight, efficient rhythm work that reinforces the momentum without distracting from it.
Greg Norton’s bass provides a constant, muscular presence throughout the song. His tone is thick and forward in the mix, and he plays with a steady, deliberate attack that keeps everything anchored. It’s the kind of bass playing that defines the song’s foundation without needing extra flourish. Derek O’Brien brings decades of punk discipline behind the kit. His drumming is steady, physical, and direct, drawing on his time with Social Distortion, Agent Orange, and Adolescents. Together, Norton and O’Brien create a rhythm section that stays locked in and keeps the song moving.
Visually, the mix of straight performance and protest imagery reinforces the song’s themes without overexplaining them. You can hear the lineage clearly: Norton’s assertive bass lines, O’Brien’s steady rhythmic push, and Smith’s melodic vocal delivery and guitar structure. It’s a blend that connects classic American punk and alternative rock without sounding like a throwback.
“Look Forward In Anger” is the third single released ahead of ULTRABOMB’s upcoming full-length album The Bridges That We Burn, due May 1, 2026. Based on the focus and energy here, I’m eager to see how these songs translate to the live stage, where this lineup’s chemistry and experience should make for a powerful set.
