REVIEW: Crimson Riot - Third Time's A Charm

There is a difference between loud punk and necessary punk. CRIMSON RIOT land firmly in the second category, and with Third Time’s A Charm, they're not just making noise, they are making a point. Out March 20 via Leg Lamp Records, the band’s third full length arrives with clarity, urgency, and a sense that this is the record where everything finally clicks.

Let’s start with the centrepiece. State Of Despair does not ease you in. It hits immediately with speed, tension, and purpose. Originally planned as a later single, the band moved it forward because they felt they could not stay silent, and that decision defines the track. It sounds urgent because it is urgent. The chorus sticks, the message is direct, and nothing feels diluted. That same energy carries across the album, but what makes Third Time’s A Charm work is how it balances intensity with structure. This is not chaos. This is controlled, deliberate songwriting.

The opening run sets the tone fast. Third Time’s A Charm feels like a mission statement, confident and forward moving. Decades Past follows with a more reflective edge, while Mold Age digs into themes of growth and identity without losing momentum. By the time Cross The Line hits, the album is fully in motion, sharp, energetic, and already proven as a standout through early radio support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJUtPGDYHz4

Crack In Foundation adds tension, hinting at instability beneath the surface, before State Of Despair arrives and delivers the album’s core message. It is the turning point, both musically and lyrically. From there, the second half keeps pushing. Demons Disappear maintains the pace, Red Flag sharpens the confrontational tone, and Fear Mongerer leans fully into the band’s refusal to stay quiet. These tracks do not just follow the single, they reinforce it.

The closing stretch adds something important. Here’s To You, featuring members of BUCK-O-NINE and LO(U)SER, shifts into a more celebratory and reflective space without losing energy. It feels earned rather than out of place. My Story and Broken Neon Lights round things out with a slightly more personal tone, giving the album a sense of completion instead of just ending on volume.

What stands out most is how tight everything feels. The band’s chemistry is obvious. Having played together for years, they move with precision. The riffs hit hard, the rhythm section drives everything forward, and the vocals cut through with intent. There is no wasted space.

Lyrically, the band are just as focused. The album takes a clear stance against sexism, racism, bigotry, and fascism, and it does not try to soften that message. It is direct, sometimes confrontational, and fully aware that not everyone will be on board. That honesty is part of what gives the record its weight.

There is also a sense of growth here. The production is bigger, the songwriting more refined, but nothing feels overdone. It still sounds like a punk record, just one that understands how to hit harder by being smarter. If there is a challenge, it comes down to expectation. When a band delivers this much energy and purpose, the bar moves up. The question is not whether they can keep up, it is how far they can push it next. Right now though, Third Time’s A Charm feels like a defining moment for CRIMSON RIOT. It is focused, it is loud, and it actually has something to say.

If you want punk that moves fast, hits hard, and means every word, this is it.

Score: 8/10

Third Time's A Charm will be released on March 20th 2026 via Leg Lamp Records.

Words: Kelly Gowe

Photos: Crimson Riot