Spear Of Destiny - Loadestone

Released in 2005, Loadestone is the tenth studio album by British post-punk band Spear of Destiny, serving as a critical turning point toward total creative independence. It holds a unique place in the band’s discography as the very first release on frontman Kirk Brandon’s proprietary record label, Eastersnow. Shifting away from traditional industry mechanisms, Brandon turned directly to the band's fanbase via their website to fund the project through fan pledges. In return, early backers were granted exclusive perks, including special alternative album mixes, a private playback night with the band at the studio, and personal dedications printed inside the sleeve notes.

Musically, the album features 14 tracks entirely penned by Brandon, alongside a notable cover of Joy Division's "Transmission"—a nod to one of his favourite seminal bands. The studio lineup brought together a powerful ensemble of musicians, including former Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes, keyboardist Steve Allen Jones, and drummer Chris Bell. The record blends the raw, dramatic alternative rock energy that defined the band's 1980s peak with a mature, independent DIY ethos. 

Spear of Destiny’s 2005 album Loadestone stands out as a gritty, self-assured masterpiece that bridges the band's post-punk roots with their modern independent era. Serving as their tenth studio record, it is a sonic manifesto driven by frontman Kirk Brandon's uncompromising vision. Rather than succumbing to the nostalgic trap of replicating their 1980s commercial hits, the album expands into a heavier, dark-alternative landscape. Backed by an exceptional studio lineup—including former Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes—the production carries an urgent, commanding weight that feels simultaneously classic and refreshingly modern.

The album opens with a sense of creeping dread, leaning heavily into atmospheric arrangements and Brandon's distinct, vibrato-laden vocals. Tracks like "Age of Unreason" and "Pskotik" lean into jagged guitar riffs and a pulsing, industrial-tinged rhythm section that captures total political and societal disillusionment. Brandon writes with his signature dramatic flair, transforming personal and global anxieties into sweeping, mid-tempo epics. The inclusion of a dark, brooding cover of Joy Division's "Transmission" fits seamlessly into the tracklist, acting as a spiritual anchor that highlights the band's post-punk lineage.

Where Loadestone truly succeeds is in its pacing and structural ambition. For a 14-track independent record funded entirely by a dedicated fan pledge campaign, there is remarkably little filler. Pieces like "Last Man Standing" and "Parade for the Living" showcase a magnificent wall of sound, driven by Steve Allen Jones’s cinematic keyboards and Chris Bell's thumping, rhythmic percussion. The songwriting feels deeply cinematic; it refuses to cater to radio-friendly structures, choosing instead to let songs breathe, evolve, and build into explosive, cathartic climaxes.

Ultimately, Loadestone is a triumphant validation of the band’s DIY ethos and remains a highlight of their extensive catalogue. It proves that Spear of Destiny never lost the righteous fury or the grandiose bombast that made them a formidable force in the alternative scene. By opting to self-release on the Eastersnow imprint, the band stripped away label interference, allowing Brandon to deliver an authentic, raw, and fiercely passionate piece of work. For both seasoned followers and collectors browsing through Discogs, this album is an essential chapter that proves great post-punk acts don't fade away; they simply grow sharper.

Ripped to MP3

1. Age Of Unreason (4:42)

2. In Transit (5:37)

3. Philadelphia (3:52)

4. Transmission (5:00) 

5. Pskotik (5:37)

6. The Devils Game (4:39)

7. Cogs (5:42)

8. Resurrection (2:32)

9. Last Man Standing (4:52)

10. Parade For The Living (5:41)

11. Red Dust Rocketeers (3:27)

12. Palestine (3:05)

13. Requiem For The Presidents (5:41)

14. Invaders (0:29)