Westgate Under Fire Explained

Westgate Under Fire
Type:	studio
Artist:	Dub War
Cover:	Dub War - Westgate Under Fire.png
Recorded:	2016–2022
Genre:	Reggae punk rock Ragga metal^[1]
Length:	47:45
Label:	Earache
Producer:	Richard "Action" Jackson
Prev Title:	Wrong Side of Beautiful
Prev Year:	1996

Westgate Under Fire is the third studio album by Welsh ragga metal band Dub War, released on 5 August 2022 via Earache Records. It is the first album of new material by the band since Wrong Side of Beautiful in 1996.

Background

After their split in 1999, 3/4 of the band went on to form Skindred, however only frontman Benji Webbe remained by 2004. In 2014, the group reunited for a limited number of shows with Mikee Gregory on live drums.^[2] ^[3] This was followed in March 2016 with the single "Fun Done"^[4] and "Making a Monster" in October that year. This was initially planned to be part of a series of singles that would eventually culminate in a full album through independent label Saint Ringland Records.^[5]

However, these plans eventually fell through until 2022, when the group announced Westgate Under Fire, inspired by the events of the Newport Rising, and important moment in the Chartist movement.^[6] ^[7] The group reunited with Earache Records to release the album,^[8] and recruited a host of drummers to perform on the album alongside Gregory. The first single, "Blackkk Man", was released on 2 March 2022. The track was inspired by the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests.^[9] Previous stand-alone single "Fun Done" is included on the album, while "Making a Monster" was renamed "Mary Shelley".

Personnel

Dub War

Benji Webbe – vocals
Jeff Rose – guitars
Richie Glover – bass guitar

Additional musicians

Mikee Gregory – drums
Ranking Roger – vocals on "War Inna Babylon"
Spike T. Smith – drums on "Art of War"
Roy Mayorga – drums on "Reveal It"
Dave Chavarri – drums on "Bite Back"
Jamie Miller – drums on "Crying Clowns"
Mikey Doling – guitar on "Crying Clowns"
Mike Bordin – drums on "Get Back Up"
Tanner Wayne – drums on "Celtic Cross"

Production

Richard "Action" Jackson – production, mixing
Rick Will – mastering
Lord Hagos
Bryan "Chuck" New

Artwork

Artcore – album cover art

Notes and References

https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/rip-alan-lewis-kerrang-founder-and-british-publishing-legend/ Phil Alexander, "RIP Alan Lewis: Kerrang! founder and British publishing legend", Kerrang!, 24 June 2021
http://www.virtualfestivals.com/latest/news/15469 Dub War reunite for Download Festival 2015
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/13218279.Nicky_Wire_and_Newport_band_Dub_War_to_feature_at_Velvet_Coalmine_festival/ Nicky Wire and Newport band Dub War to feature at Velvet Coalmine festival
http://teamrock.com/news/2016-03-02/listen-to-a-brand-new-song-by-dub-war Listen to a brand new song by Dub War
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/skindreds-benji-webbe-reformed-dub-11021966 Skindred's Benji Webbe has reformed Dub War and plans to release 12 records
Web site: Carter . Emily . 2 March 2022 . Benji Webbe's Dub War return with first album of all-new material in over 25 years . 2 March 2022 . . 5 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305211919/https://www.kerrang.com/benji-webbe-skindred-dub-war-return-with-first-album-of-all-new-material-in-over-25-years . live .
Web site: Ranson . Gerry . 2 March 2022 . Dub War Return . 2 March 2022 . . 5 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305211922/https://vivelerock.net/dub-war-return/ . live .
Web site: Dub War . 2 March 2022 . . 5 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305211927/https://www.earache.com/artists/dub-war/ . live .
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dub-war-to-release-first-album-of-new-material-in-over-25-years/ DUB WAR To Release First Album Of New Material In Over 25 Years