Album Notes

Olympic Lifts were born early in the 21st Century and broke the rules of pop music from day one. For a start they were white boys from Belfast, Ireland and were using hip-hop as a major influence on their unique new sound. They were putting together beats and stealing samples on a busted-up, blagged old computer and didn’t have a clue how to do it. They were smart though, and their lack of respect for the technology they were abusing only helped contribute to a sound no one had heard before or since.

Then they took it to the stage and things got exciting. The performances were legendary. Explosive energy, presence and performance, coupled with the party sound they had welded together, came at audiences like a fresh set of knuckledusters to both eyes and ears.

Back then they were 3. Classic hip-hop set up; 2 MCs and one DJ. But this thing that had come from nowhere had more growing in it yet and the format wasn’t enough. Additional assault was added with live bass and guitar. Things were getting bigger and better.

Soon they signed a deal, released a single, and made some underground waves in London, Europe & Japan. Then came the debut album “Do One”. An outpouring of what they been working at since hammering on that busted computer. They took the album on tour across mainland Europe and the UK with the likes of Ugly Duckling, Lo-fidelity Allstars and even shared a stage with Kool Herc the inventor of hip-hop. To up the ante internationally, OL headed to the USA and then released “Do One” in Japan.

It was time to re-group. Olympic Lifts came off the road and settled into a country retreat to contemplate what they had achieved, decide where they were heading and then change the route-choice a bit by writing a new album.

“Know The Way of the Lord or Learn the Way of the Sword” is that new album and it is a revelation. It takes what they had; funky, rocking, party hip-hop with funny yet thought-provoking lyrics and made it tighter, fatter, and more instantly pop-accessible yet with a substance and authenticity that makes it impossible not to take seriously.