Wednesday 8 June 2016

UNHINGED - 'Nostalgia' CD review



UNHINGED - 'Nostalgia' CD review


By the time this zine comes out, Stourbridge-based four piece UNHINGED will already have a second EP done, despite only having released this, their first EP back in December. 'Nostalgia' features four tracks of pacey, angry punk rock that has its hardcore influences firmly rooted in the old-school 80s and 90s, with elements of IGNITE and GORILLA BISCUITS coming through the more contemporary sound of bands like THE BRONX and CANCER BATS, and produced locally with a pretty DIY, lo-fi recording. Pacey drumwork, rock-infused hardcore riffs, and a combination of angry shouts and don't-give-a-shit attitude style singing that makes for some pretty catchy moments, all meld to make for an impressive debut EP. Check out 'Homesick' and its accompanying video for something to go on, and then go check out their new EP.


xox

Sunday 5 June 2016

SVALBARD - 'One Day All This Will End' cassette review



SVALBARD - 'One Day All This Will End' cassette review


Oh man, SVALBARD are good; another band I feel hugely lucky to have shared the stage (well, floor) with, they play an astounding and melodically unique style of post-hardcore that is all at once heavy and melodic, epic and emotional, and on here, from what I recall, I bit faster than their previous releases, utilising a bit more double time and blasting, giving it a bit more of a hardcore punk / black metal vibe. Fans of anything from LIGHT THIS CITY, to CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE, to old DARKEST HOUR should absolutely love this. The male / female dual vocal works as brilliantly as ever, the two different tones interspersing considerately and intelligently, and occasionally joining to epic effect; the beautiful single string lead guitar melodies pierce the shroud of thick bass and heavy guitars perfectly; and the aforementioned drumming is really something to behold, tearing technically through these eight stylistically varied and well structured tunes (as well as a cool cover of VICTIMS' 'This is the End'). A solid album, well worth a look if you like your stuff dark, heavy, fast and melodic. Also available on record I believe, but the cassette (with chrome shell) is a beaut.


xox