Review By Halina Wegner
Watching a band grow over the years is one of the great privileges of being a music journalist. I still remember first seeing Kris Barras Band at Ramblin’ Man Fair, where their blistering performance announced them as a band destined for bigger things. Catching up with Kris after he came off stage for an interview, it was obvious he possessed not only incredible talent but also the determination to keep pushing forward. Fast forward to 2026, and Monsters We Made is the sound of that journey coming full circle. This isn’t just another Kris Barras Band album—it’s their strongest, most complete and emotionally powerful release to date.
Released via Earache Records on 14th August, Monsters We Made finds the Devon outfit fully embracing the arena-rock sound they’ve been steadily building towards over the last decade. While the blues roots that first put Kris on the map are still woven into the band’s DNA, this album confidently steps into modern hard rock territory without ever losing its soul.
Life has clearly shaped this record. The heartbreaking loss of Kris’ mother during the recording process hangs over many of the songs, giving the album an emotional honesty that cannot be manufactured. Rather than allowing grief to overwhelm the music, Kris channels every emotion into songs that speak about resilience, self-acceptance and finding strength through adversity.
The title track opens the album with enormous intent. Built around crushing riffs, one of the biggest choruses Kris has ever written and a soaring guitar solo, it immediately grabs hold of the listener and refuses to let go. It’s exactly the kind of statement opener a band aiming for arena stages should deliver.
Tracks like “Beautiful Lie,” “Riot of One” and “Alive” continue the momentum with infectious hooks, massive grooves and polished production courtesy of guitarist and keyboard player Josiah Manning, who deserves enormous credit for steering the album so confidently during such a difficult period for the band.
The emotional heart of the album arrives with “Unspoken” and “Otherside.” Both songs demonstrate just how much Kris Barras has matured as both a songwriter and vocalist. Rich orchestration sits alongside heartfelt lyrics, creating moments that feel deeply personal while remaining universally relatable.
Of course, no Kris Barras Band album would be complete without spectacular guitar playing.
Kris has long been recognised as one of Britain’s finest guitarists, but on Monsters We Made he somehow raises the bar once again. His playing is never about showing off—it is about serving the song. Every solo has purpose, every phrase carries emotion and every note feels like it comes straight from the heart. Whether unleashing fiery blues-infused leads or delivering soaring melodic solos, Kris reminds us why he remains one of the UK’s very best players. His guitar doesn’t simply sing—it speaks, cries and roars throughout this album.
Behind him, the band have become a formidable unit. Josiah Manning continues to be the perfect musical partner, while Frazer Kerslake and Billy Hammett provide the rock-solid rhythm section that allows every song to breathe. Together they sound tighter, heavier and more confident than ever before.
One of the biggest achievements of Monsters We Made is how naturally it brings together fans from every chapter of Kris Barras Band’s career. Those who fell in love with the early blues-rock albums will still find plenty of tasteful guitar work and soulful moments, while newer fans who discovered the band through Halo Effect will relish the huge choruses, modern production and stadium-sized sound.
Having followed Kris Barras Band since those early Ramblin’ Man days, the growth has been nothing short of remarkable. From playing festival slots that first caught people’s attention to headlining major venues and producing albums of this quality, they’ve never stopped evolving. Every release has pushed them forward, but Monsters We Made feels like the moment everything truly clicks into place.
This is a band who have finally found complete confidence in who they are.
Monsters We Made isn’t simply the next chapter in the Kris Barras Band story—it feels like the beginning of an exciting new era. Honest, powerful and packed with huge songs, it’s an album that deserves to propel them onto even bigger stages around the world.
Kris Barras Band have never sounded more focused, more confident or more emotionally connected. Monsters We Made is British rock at its absolute finest and stands as one of the defining rock albums of 2026.
The band headline across the UK this autumn, calling at:
Wed 7th Oct – SOUTHAMPTON, The 1865
Thu 8th Oct – NOTTINGHAM, Rescue Rooms
Fri 9th Oct – GLASGOW, The Garage
Sat 10th Oct – HULL, Welly
Sun 11th Oct – CAMBRIDGE, Mash
Tue 13th Oct – LONDON, The Garage
Wed 14th Oct – MANCHESTER, Club Academy
Thu 15th Oct – WOLVERHAMPTON, KKs Steelmill
Fri 16th Oct – TORQUAY, The Foundry
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