Scarlet Rebels Flawed By Design Album Review.

 

Scarlet Rebels release their new album, Flawed By Design on 13 November 2026 via Earache Records which was recorded with returning producer Chris Clancy, and it sees lead vocalist and guitarist Wayne Doyle , drummer Gary Doyle, lead guitarist Chris Jones and bassist Carl Oag build on the foundations laid by previous albums Show Your Colours (2019), See Through Blue (2022) and Where The Colours Meet (2024) that all reached the upper echolons of the UK charts.

After having the pleasure of seeing the band headline Chepstow Castle in August and hearing 3 of the 11 songs contained within on the live stage I can confirm that the band have surpassed themselves with Flawed By Design with a collection of songs built for huge crowds worldwide.

We have gold plated riffs and huge choruses and a drum sound to die for on every song and it is difficult to pick a favourite as it changes every time I listen to the album.

In this throw away world we live in where it has to be instantaineous this is best listened to as a whole. Yes all of it all 11 tracks then press repeat and let it seep into your soul.

I love an album that I can sing badly along to and this is right up there with every song having a hook and such great melodies with Wayne showcasing his vocal talents and range at every turn.

God's Honest Truth is the opener and after a picked electric guitar riff intro the band kick in and the wonderful production shines through with that drum sound crackling along deliciously and the first great chorus.

This is Happening Now was the first single and it's fast paced guitar riff eases under the first verse and builds into the chorus and Wayne's vocal delivery perfect. Arena ready chorus as arms reach for the sky.

A word on Chris Jones on lead guitar. A ball of energy on stage and on the album his guitar solo's are extraordinarily superb taking each song every higher. Each tell a story with melodic intent and full of poise and fiery attitude. Credit again goes to the production as every time Chris solo's it leaps out of the speakers and says look at me and never overplayed as all good guitar solo's should be.

Picture credited to Rob Blackham and used with thanks.

Second single Don't Look Down and follow up Chains show more razor sharp guitar riffs and choruses and you can't stop smiling and singing along to the albums and wish you had an open top sports car so you can share it with the world.

Hanging On A Rope I think at the moment with its harder edged chugging guitar riff is my favourite. A whoa whoa chorus too and then back to the main guitar riff that I can't wait to see on the forthcoming tour. Chris's guitar solo is wonderful too as it explodes out of the speakers . Quite superb.

Happy Ever After has a slight ease in pace but no loss in power or emotion in the delivery or chorus and the production gives every instrument its place and chance to shine and another guitar solo from Chris that fits perfectly in the moment and then alongside and under Wayne in the outro.

Never Be Enough is another to add to the list with an anthemic chorus that you can see stand out in the live setting and I smile again as Chris guitar solo soars to the stars and beyond.

Let It Out has a harder edge guitar riff before mellowing in the verse before Fool Your Heart ends the album in style with an ease in pace and a chorus full of melody and love Chris's guitar add libbing under the chorus. A restrained Chris guitar solo fits just so but still shines brightly and shows what a talent he is.

Flawed By Design sees Scarlet Rebels at the top of their game with 11 beautifully crafted rock anthems and ready to show off their talents to crowds worldwide.

They hit the road hard starting next week go see them.

Scarlet Rebels – Flawed By Design UK Instore Tour 2026

 13 November – Derrick’s Music, Swansea
 14 November – Vinyl Tap, Huddersfield
 14 November – Crash Records, Leeds
 15 November – Banquet Records, Kingston
 16 November – The Globe (presented by Jacaranda Records), Cardiff
 17 November – The Parish (presented by Jacaranda Records), Wrexham
 18 November – Truck Records, Oxford

Scarlet Rebels – 2026 Live Dates
 25 November – The Tivoli, Buckley (supporting Tyketto)
 26 November – The Polar Bear, Hull
 27 November – Independent, Sunderland
 28 November – Winterstorm Festival, Troon
 29 November – Picturedrome, Holmfirth (supporting Tyketto)
 1 December – The Black Box, Hastings (supporting Tyketto)
 2 December – The Waterloo, Blackpool (supporting Tyketto)
 3 December – Queens Hall, Nuneaton (supporting Tyketto)
 19 December – RPM Christmas Special, Morecambe (with The Virginmarys, These Wicked Rivers,   Kit Trigg, LN and more)

Scarlet Rebels – 2027 UK Tour
 28–31 January – Planet Rock’s Winter’s End, Trecco Bay
 11 February – The Junction, Plymouth
 12 February – Cavern, Exeter
 13 February – The Joiners, Southampton
 15 February – G2, Glasgow
 16 February – The Cluny, Newcastle
 18 February – Rebellion, Manchester
 19 February – Parish, Huddersfield
 20 February – Corporation, Sheffield
 22 February – The Waterfront Studio, Norwich
 23 February – The Portland Arms, Cambridge
 24 February – Downstairs at the Dome, London
 25 February – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
 3 April – Mayors Fest, KK’s Steelmill, Wolverhampton

Record Store Tickets https://linktr.ee/RebelsRecordStoreTour2026
 
Tour Tickets https://www.scarletrebels.com/pages/live
 
Pre-order the album https://earache.com/scarletrebels

 https://www.scarletrebels.com/