'XXXVII' Deference EP Review

Release Date: 17^th March 2015

Bandcamp can be a brilliant way to find new and exciting bands to listen to, and one of its best features is the ‘name your price’ option, where you can either download music for free or contribute your own desired amount towards the band. Southampton-based metal band Deference have chosen to release their debut EP ‘XXXVII’ this way, so there really is no excuse not to give it a listen!

Opening track ‘I, Creator’ instantly shows exactly what Deference are all about: brutal riffs, heavy breakdowns and intense screaming vocals. Despite managing to completely nail all key elements of the metal genre in a song that is less than two minutes long there is nothing generic about the Hampshire five piece: their pure energy and talent shines through perfectly like a breath of fresh air to an often monotonous music scene.

One of the most impressive songs on the EP is ‘The Weathering’, a fast-paced and hard-hitting metalcore track. The heavy riffs blow you away from the first second and the melodic chorus fuses perfectly. If you had to compare Deference to any other band then it would definitely have to be Architects due to the slight similarity in song structure and vocals.

Final song ‘The Tribunal’ is the perfect way to end such an impressive debut EP: Rob Lea’s vocals are fierce, powerful and unforgettable. The energetic and hard-hitting drumbeats and technical guitar riffs prove that all five members of Deference are extremely talented. If you are one of those people who complain that the UK metal scene is boring then you definitely have not checked out ‘XXXVII’.

Rating: 8.5/10

www.facebook.com/WeAreDeference
Download the EP: www.deference.bandcamp.com/releases

'Dreamers' Bounds Of Modesty EP Review

There are many different things associated with Amsterdam, such as canals, museums and of course the infamous coffee shops, but pop punk isn’t usually one of them. However, Bounds Of Modesty, a four-piece band that formed in 2009, are on a mission to change this with their latest EP ‘Dreamers’.

‘Dreamers’ is the soundtrack to Bounds Of Modesty’s latest feature film, which promises to tell the story of the friends chasing their dreams and the obstacles that they encounter on the way. Also, each of the five songs on ‘Dreamers’ claims to have its own signature instrument, such as banjos, harmoniums and ukuleles. Opening track ‘The Heart Wants’ is upbeat and fast-paced, which instantly catches your attention. Callum Stamp’s vocals are harmonic and striking, allowing you to really focus on the stories being told in the lyrics. The beautiful fusion of acoustic riffs and harrowing vocals pull at your heartstrings and leaves you desperate to hear more.

‘Superheroes’ is one of the slowest-paced songs on the album, however, the emotion-filled lyrics and stunning vocals are more than enough to keep you entertained.

Final track ‘Awake’ is not only just a great ending to ‘Dreamers’, it also proves that every song on the EP is enjoyable to listen to.  Although the orchestra-like composition of the song sounds nothing like pop-punk, they prove that they are multi-talented and unique.

Although Bounds Of Modesty are relatively unknown, many bands could learn a thing or two about multimedia from them. Every song is full of emotion and harmonies, proving that they are not just another pop punk band on the circuit: they are hard-working and talented musicians who deserve to have a much bigger fanbase.

Rating: 9/10

www.facebook.com/BoundsOfModesty 

'As I Walk With Fire' Opheon EP Review

Release Date: 4^th April 2015

There are thousands of teenage metal bands across the world, so it is safe to say that just being young musician is not enough to cut it anymore. However, the members of Opheon have an average age of nineteen and they have already received praise from Robb Flynn and Corey Beaulieu, so it is safe to say that they are definitely doing something right. ‘As I Walk With Fire’ is the latest release from the Birmingham-based four-piece and it is definitely an EP to watch out for.

Opening track ‘As I Walk With Fire’ gives an instant glimpse into what Opheon are about: heavy riffs, harsh vocals and hard-hitting lyrics. The fusion of fast-paced guitar solos and melodic vocals prove that despite being young, Opheon really know how to create a professional-sounding metal anthem.

If you have never listened to Opheon before then ‘The Distance’ would definitely be a great place to start: the melodic yet heavy song is not only catchy, but it is also one of the most impressive metal songs of this year so far. Liam and Josh’s vocals merge beautifully, and combined with unique riffs and thoughtful lyrics, it is almost impossible to ignore Opheon’s talent.

Final song ‘Lost In Undertow’ is full of energy and pure passion, making it the perfect end to such a hard-hitting EP. The crushing guitar riffs and heavy vocals leave you constantly wanting to hear more from the Birmingham youngsters and you will find yourself having this song stuck in your head, whether you like it or not.

‘As I Walk With Fire’ will be released on Saturday 4^th April. The official album release show will be on Thursday 9^th April at The Flapper in Birmingham, with support from The Final Chapter, Vexxen and This Memory.

Rating: 8/10

www.facebook.com/OpheonOfficial
www.twitter.com/OpheonOfficial 

Western Sand ‘Western Sand’ EP Review

Western Sand are a four-piece hard rock revival group from the South of England. Forming in 2008, they have since supported bands such as Nazareth, Reckless Love and Heaven’s Basement. 

Opening track ‘A Place I Call Home’ instantly tells you exactly what Western Sand are all about: bringing the old-school Southern rock style of the late 1970s to the present. The overpowering drum beat and occasional random blues-style guitar solos almost make you feel like you’re in an American bar swigging back whisky whilst wearing a cowboy hat. It’s rare that the first song from an EP gives you such a clear indication of what a band is like, but it’s even rarer that a band manages to transport you somewhere far away with just their sound.

Unique and hard-hitting guitar riffs are very prominent in second song ‘Take It Away’. Tyler Hains’ smooth and resonating vocals capture the old-school rock vibe perfectly, yet he still manages to add his own unique style to enable Western Sand’s music to sound fresh and full of life.

‘Broken Bones’ has a much slower pace than the previous songs on the EP, yet it is the one which seems to stand out to the listener the most. The opening acoustic guitar riff is not only beautiful, it sounds like it’s full of emotion and passion. The ever-changing pace of the song works well, especially with the almost melancholy-sounding vocals and tone. The chorus is both memorable and catchy, allowing it to stay stuck into the listeners’ head for hours. ‘Broken Bones’ is possibly the best song on the EP, and the impressive guitar solos really give the song the edge needed to make Western Sands stand out in a scene full of bands trying to make a name for themselves.

Final song ‘Welcome To The Badlands’ is a great way to end the EP: it’s full of strong and exciting riffs and a wide range of vocal styles. The almost anthem-like nature of the song makes it upbeat and hard-hitting, just like the presence Western Sand have portrayed on this EP.

For a band that are so young, Western Sand are extremely talented and they definitely deserve more recognition for their unique twist on the old-school rock genre.  A must-listen for those who love the Southern rock and roll sound but are bored of listening to the same artists again and again.

Check out Western Sand here: https://www.facebook.com/westernsand/

Out For Tomorrow 'World On Your Side' EP Review

‘World On Your Side’ is the latest EP released by Bristol rockers Out For Tomorrow, and it’s definitely both well-recorded and catchy. Despite only being together for three years, the band has managed to create an EP that is easy to listen to and will appeal to music fans across the spectrum.

Title track ‘World On Your Side’ sets the EP off to a great start; the mellow opening guitar riff matches Ben Lumbers’ smooth and almost soothing vocals well. Although many rock fans may not become excited about
the thought of another slow-paced and relaxed band on the scene, especially with Bristol having such a thriving music scene, there’s something unique about Out For Tomorrow which shines through not only this track, but the whole EP. The comforting sound of the calm breakdown combined with the wistful and regret-filled lyrics enables the listener to feel at-ease and almost like they understand where Out For Tomorrow are coming from, strengthening the band’s connection to their fans.

Further continuing the mellow theme is the second song, titled ‘Breathe’. This is possibly the best track on the album due to the interesting guitar melodies portrayed and the heart-felt lyrics. It’s quickly apparent whilst listening to this EP and reading more about them that Out For Tomorrow are heavily lyrically influenced by the bands that they have previously played alongside, such as Deaf Havana and Lower Than Atlantis. The guitar solo in ‘Breathe’ isn't the most technical or impressive that you’ll ever hear, but it matches the reminiscent tone of the song perfectly and proves that the band work hard at making their sound match the lyrics well.

‘When The Novelty Wears Off’ follows the theme of losing faith and friendship, expressed by not only the lyrical content, but also by the post-rock guitar riffs and slow-paced drumming. The guitar riffs are both prominent and very catchy, making the song not only enjoyable to listen to on the EP, but it also sounds like
it would be a great song to hear in their live set.

Mallory Knox fans will either absolutely love or detest the fourth track on the EP as the beginning riff sounds like the opening riff to their hit ‘Wake Up’. Despite the similarity, ‘Green Eyed (Nous Tous Savions)’ is the only fast-paced song present here, which possibly makes it stand out the most. This track is the easiest to imagine on a rock music channel or the radio, which would be a great advancement in the hard-working band’s career. Lumber proves in this song that he isn't only just a strong singer on ballads, but that his voice is more versatile than first demonstrated.

The acoustic version of ‘World On Your Side’ is the penultimate track on the EP. However, as the original song is slow-paced and mellow, there isn’t a huge difference between versions. Lumber’s vocals sound rawer while a piano and violin element is added to the song, but that’s about it really. It’s a nice addition to the EP and it stands out against other break-through bands, but it seems mainly just for show.

The final song is the Jeriqo Remix of ‘Young & Foolish’. The dance element is interesting to hear in this song as it’s a contrast to Out For Tomorrow’s usual mellow style, but in all honesty it doesn't work too well. It sounds jumbled and almost forced into a dance/dubstep song, especially the bass drop which makes it sound artificial and fake. There are slower elements of the song which work well, but as a whole, it doesn't flow as well as the rest of the EP.

‘World On Your Side’ is a good start for Out For Tomorrow, but they definitely need some fine-tuning to the alternative versions of their songs.

Check out Out For Tomorrow here: https://www.facebook.com/outfortomorrow 

Tarantulah ‘Kedamaian Jalan Hitam’ EP Review

Tarantulah are a four-piece metal band from Malaysia. ‘Kedamaian Jalan Hitam’, which translates to ‘Peace Way Black’ in English, is their first four track raw demo. ‘Viva La Peace’ is the first track on the EP, which has a very distorted sound to it and features heavy shouting vocals. ‘Pukul Mereka Dalam Diam’ opens with the sound of sirens and progresses into brutal thrash riffs and grunting vocals from lead singer Man Rabaxx. The third track is also very distorted, adding to the raw vibe of the EP. The final track ‘Durjana Si Dajjal’ features more thrash guitar riffs and harsh vocals. All in all, ‘Kedamaian Jalan Hitam’ proves that metal can be found in countries all over the world and it doesn’t always need to be edited and mastered.

Check out Tarantulah here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tarantulah-MALAYSIA/

Seasons Collide ‘Horizons’ EP Review

Seasons Collide are a post-hardcore/metalcore band from Essex. ‘Horizons’ is their latest EP, and the title track has the perfect mix of both harsh and melodic vocals. The breakdowns are well-put together and easy to listen to. ‘Tides Of Change’ has a slightly slower pace than the first track, but the emotion and energy is still there. The guitaring is harmonious, matching the vocals well. ‘The Long Road Home’ is a fantastic example of a great metalcore song: full of fast-paced riffs, intense breakdowns and strong vocals. The lyrics are both catchy and well-written and the transitions between heavy and melodic merge very well. ‘Run For Your Life’ is a very heavy song and Liam Carmichael’s vocals are extremely impressive in this song, especially the harsh screams near the end of the song. Ending this EP is ‘Saviour’, yet another song where the melodic vocals stand out well and make Seasons Collide a unique band. The guitar solo near the end of the song is incredible and it’s definitely a great way to end this five track EP. If you’re a fan of bands such as Killswitch Engage, Funeral For A Friend and Atreyu, then this is definitely a band for you to listen to!

Check out Seasons Collide here: http://www.facebook.com/SeasonsCollide/

Vasco Da Gama ‘Geography’ EP Review

Vasco Da Gama are a four-piece band from Liverpool. Their latest EP, ‘Geography’, is packed full of energetic songs with strong lyrics. It is very hard to make music sound energetic when it’s not being performed live, however, Vasco Da Gama seem to manage this with ease. ‘Brigadiers’ has an extremely powerful bass line, and right from the beginning of the EP the vocals stand out. The second track, ‘Powder Post’, features impressive melodic guitaring which is both unique and catchy. ‘Tonight We Will Eat Something With Two Colours In It’ not only has an interesting song title, but it’s also experimental and full of passion. Ending this fantastic EP with the melodic track ‘The Greenland Problem’, Vasco Da Gama are definitely onto a winner with ‘Geography’. If you’re a fan of Los Campesinos!, Errors or The Mars Volta, then this is definitely an EP for you to download.

‘Geography’ will be released on April 22^nd.  

Check out Vasco Da Gama here: http://www.facebook.com/vascodagamalive

My Grey Horse ‘Stop Before the Dry River’ EP Review

My Grey Horse are an alternative band from Stratford Upon Avon, who formed in 2009. Their latest EP, ‘Stop Before the Dry River’, is unique and enjoyable to listen to. The first track, ‘Need Wood’, opens with powerful vocals, melodic backing vocals and almost ambient guitaring. ‘Big Night’ is mellow and features almost techno-sounding instruments. The four-piece band are all creative (one member is an illustrator, one is a published writer, one is an animator and one is a film maker), this is all apparent in their work: My Grey Horse create beautiful songs with thoughtful lyrics. The vocals in ‘Last Chance’ are remarkable and the guitaring is also very impressive. ‘Catch Up’ is the last song on the EP, and the acoustic melody and echoing vocals create a very relaxing song. If you enjoy thoughtful and melodic vocals with beautiful harmonies, then My Grey Horse are the band for you.

Check out the EP here: https://soundcloud.com/crcmusic/sets/my-grey-horse-need-wood-ep/s-zaps3
Check out the band here: http://www.facebook.com/mygreyhorse

Tanya Cork ‘Coconut Groove’ EP Review

Tanya Cork is a vocalist from Birmingham. The first track from ‘Coconut Groove’ is called ‘Until You’re Back’, and it’s a very mellow and relaxed song. With her unique yet impressive vocals, Tanya provides the listener with melodious music, without being boring. ‘Everything I Do’ has more of an upbeat feel to it, and with almost techno-sounding backing music it’s definitely something different to the chart music around at the moment. The last song on the EP is called ‘Dance The Night Away’, and it’s definitely a good way to end ‘Coconut Groove’. If you enjoy strong female singers and relaxed music, then this definitely the EP for you.

Check out the EP here: https://soundcloud.com/tanyacork
Check out Tanya here: http://www.tanyaandthesapphirestones.com/

Hitchcock Blonde ‘Five Pounds’ EP Review

Hitchcock Blonde are a four piece alternative rock band from London. Formed in 2009, they are inspired by Skunk Anansie and Band of Skulls. Their latest EP, ‘Five Pounds’, is a mix of female-fronted punk and indie rock. The first track on the EP is ‘Animal’, which has an incredibly catchy riff and fresh, raw vocals from lead singer Ella Grace. ‘Baby Knows Best’ has a mellower vibe and displays how versatile Ella’s voice is. The third track, ‘Buzz Kill’ is fresh and unique, with an almost grunge-sounding chorus. ‘Cutglass’ opens with an impressive bass line and delicate guitaring, progressing onto an angst-filled chorus with powerful lyrics. ‘Let It Go’ is a very alternative song, which sounds very post-nineties grunge. The last track on this unique EP is ‘Sexy Like You’, which could easily become a massive hit. Possibly the best song on the EP, it is exciting, fresh and it will make you want to press repeat over and over again. If you fancy something new and enjoy strong female vocals, then ‘Five Pounds’ is the EP for you.  

Check out Hitchcock Blonde here: http://www.facebook.com/hitchcockblonde

Thirteen Shots, Trioxin Cherry and Raizing Hell ‘Chainsaw Ballads’ EP Review

‘Chainsaw Ballads’ is an split EP which features Thirteen Shots, Trioxin Cherry and Raizing Hell. The first two songs on the EP are by Thirteen Shots, a horrorbilly band from Birmingham. ‘Zombies From The USSR’ has an old-school punk sound, similar to bands such as The Misfits. Lead singer John has the perfect horrorbilly voice, and the guitar riffs will make you want to dance around your living room. The second and last track from Thirteen Shots is ‘Get In My Crypt’, which features fantastic horror-filled lyrics and impressive drumming. The next band featured on this great horror-punk EP are Trioxin Cherry, a female-fronted band from Nottingham. ‘Wrong Turn’ demonstrates how powerful Rebecca Campbell’s voice is, and it’s an enjoyable song to listen to. ‘Not Scared’ features impressive guitaring and a strong bass line. Raizing Hell are the final band on the EP, who formed in 2010 in Bucharest. ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll For The Dead’ has an amazingly catchy chorus, and Liv Decay’s vocals are unique. ‘Thing For Murder’ is the final song on the EP, and it’s a great end to an amazing collection of horrorbilly/horror-punk music.

Check out Thirteen Shots here: http://www.facebook.com/thirteenshotsband
Check out Trioxin Cherry here: http://www.facebook.com/trioxincherry
Check out Raizing Hell here: http://www.facebook.com/Raizing.Hell
Download the EP for free here: http://thirteenshots.bandcamp.com/releases

Big Casino ‘Carry Me In’ EP Review

Big Casino are a three piece alternative rock band from the Wirral, formed in 2012. ‘Carry Me In’ is their debut EP, which has received national radio play on Absolute Radio. The opening track, ‘In My Head’, sounds like a fusion of Foo Fighters and Thrice, but with softer vocals and more technical guitar. It’s an extremely strong opening track, and definitely made me want to listen to more of Big Casino’s work. ‘Hit The Brakes’ is the next song on the EP, and it has a fresh and unique sound due to Jay Roberts’ impressive vocals. ‘Carry Me In’ starts off softer than the other songs, and progresses into an amazing rock song. The guitaring on ‘A Hundred Strong’ is remarkable and it’s a very catchy track, especially the hard-hitting chorus. The final track ‘Safe’ is a bit heavier and a great end to a great EP. I was very impressed with Big Casino, and they definitely deserve to get more well-known. If you’re a fan of alternative rock, or even rock in general, then I’d strongly suggest that you check them out! It’s an EP that I’ll definitely be listening to over and over again.

Check out Big Casino here: http://www.facebook.com/BigCasinoUK
Download the EP for free here: http://bigcasino.bandcamp.com/

Stuart Newman ‘Bored of Idiot Chatter’ EP

Stuart Newman is an Indie Rock singer from Brighton. On his EP ‘Bored of Idiot Chatter’ he displays raw vocals alongside mellow music, which is relaxing and enjoyable to listen to. The first track, titled ‘(We’re Living In) Another Dimension’ has a relaxed vibe and is a great start to the EP. ‘Cry Wolf’ is a more upbeat song, with a catchy melody and despite only being just over one minute long, it really stands out. With vocals similar to Thom Yorke from Radiohead, Stuart Newman is a strong singer who writes impressive lyrics and if you’re into Alternative/Experimental Rock then I’d recommend that you listen to this EP.

Check out Stuart Newman here: http://www.facebook.com/stuartnewmanmusic
Download the EP for free here: http://www.stuartnewmanmusic.com/home.cfm

Black Shapes ‘In The Mourning Light’ EP Review

Black Shapes were formed in 2011 in London, and they describe their genre on Facebook as ‘heavy, fast and noisy’, which, from listening to their EP ‘In The Mourning Light’ is definitely true. However, their music is well-structured and full of energy, making it enjoyable to listen to for punk and hardcore music fans. Fast-paced riffs dominate their songs, which sounds great alongside the angry vocals.  Despite only being a four track EP, their style is unique and passionate. If you enjoy listening to loud and aggressive music, I’d definitely recommend that you check out Black Shapes.

Check out Black Shapes here: http://www.facebook.com/blackshapes
Download the EP for free here: http://blackshapes.bandcamp.com/

Rob Lynch ‘No Blood’ EP Review

Rob Lynch is an acoustic pop singer based in London. The first song on the three track EP ‘No Blood’ is called ‘Brother’, and it has a very mellow and relaxing vibe to it. Rob Lynch has a great voice, which works perfectly with an acoustic guitar. ‘We Do This For…’ is the second track, which has beautiful lyrics and is more upbeat than the first track. The final song on this impressive EP is a cover of Portland’s ‘We Are Nihilists, Lebowski’, which perfectly demonstrates how good Rob Lynch is at both guitar and singing. This EP is a definite must-download for those who are fans of acoustic music.

Check out Rob Lynch here: http://www.facebook.com/roblynchmusic
Download the EP for free here: http://roblynch.bandcamp.com/