To The Bones - Emperor's Ride Single Review

To The Bones – Emperor’s Ride Single  

Tracklisting  

1. Emperor’s Ride  
2. Magazine 

Being said to ‘rock like an absolute motherfucker’ by Rocksound Magazine and obtaining good reviews from various other sources, I had exceptionally high hopes for To The Bones’ new single Emperor’s Ride.  The track gets off to a good start with catchy bass rhythms that forebode a good, energetic tune worthy of Queens Of The Stone Age… but then, as they say, some things are too good to be true. Just when it sounded as if I was about to be blown away by brilliant vocals and fist-pounding choruses, vocalist Rhys G. Bradley squeals down the microphone and crushes any hopes that Emperor’s Ride would be a good song. The drumming is brilliant and the guitars are perfectly competent but both are heavily overshadowed by the wailing and yowling that has the potential to summon neighbouring dogs and shatter a few windows in the process. 

The second track from the single, Magazine, is only a minimal improvement from the headline track and is, once again, completely ravaged by the shrieks and bawls of the vocalist in an otherwise extremely talented band. Although howling and screeching may appeal to some of their Facebook fans, how these vocals managed to impress the likes of Kerrang! and Rocksound is a complete mystery.  

Abbie Harrop 

The Bastard Sons - Bones EP Review

‘Bones’ E.P. - The Bastard Sons

The Bastard Sons are a band from York that formed in early 2011. They describe their sound as ‘dirty rock and roll’. They started playing a few gigs in their home town and then were shortly approached by the record label Lockjaw Records. They then went on to create their debut E.P. ‘Bones’.

‘Bones’ consists of 6 songs which define their genre and lifestyle completely; what a way to start off a music career with a hard hitting record. The whole E.P. flows really nicely. The first song, ‘Hot Town’, starts with all the band shouting and then kicking into the song with some power chords that come at you quite violently; it really gives the start of the record a live feel. The second song, ‘Soul Fur Coat’, is extremely guitar and drum driven. The Vocals on this track differ from singing to screaming quite frequently, which draws you into the song a lot more. The guitar solos just fill the song up and make it an all-round awesome tune! 

The track ‘We never saw the sun’ starts off with some drums then going into a guitar riff which has slight hints of influence from the band Bullet For My Valentine. The song after kicks straight into it with loud vocals and a guitar riff to back it up the song; ‘In Case Of Emergency’ really grabs your ear’s attention! ‘Therapists Get All The Girls’ starts with a tom drum intro and has quite a slow tempo compared to the other tracks on the album but still keeps up as the guitar techniques used make the song huge! The Last song, ‘Salem’s Rot’, is a really good song to finish of an E.P as it is slightly different to the tracks earlier on - the guitar introduces and sets out the whole song which gives hints of AC/DC. You can really connect with songs riffs and lyrics.

Overall ‘Bones’ is defiantly a record worth listening too. With hints of different bands throughout the whole E.P. you can tell that The Bastard Sons are going to be huge.

The Indieannas - moneyman single and Video Review

The Indieannas – Moneyman Single and Video Review

During my first listen to this latest song from Buxton band The Indieannas, I was immediately reminded of another band. It took me a while to figure out whom, exactly, but it demonstrated this song's greatest strength and also its biggest weakness.

For a band that's still fairly new to the scene, this latest offering is decent - hardly anything special, but still an enjoyable listen. The introduction reminded me of Arctic Monkeys, whilst the vocals definitely reminded me of bands such as Kasabian. Not a bad thing, but it goes to show the slight lack of originality. I was left thinking of these other bands instead of The Indieannas.

The music itself is solid enough, catchy after a few listens, but not to the point where it becomes grating or irritating. The lyrics and chorus are definitely good enough to stand with other current bands dominating the genre.

It's just a shame that, despite these good points, the song seems to lack a punch. It doesn't stick with you after the song has finished and I didn't find myself wanting to repeat the song like I do with other bands. It was like a takeaway - enjoyable at the time but not so much that you'd find yourself desperate for more.

As for the video, I was slightly disappointed with it. A lot of bands currently seem to be following a trend slating bankers and the government. Don't get me wrong, I know there are issues, but we don't need to be reminded of it with every video we see! Intertwined with that are shots of the band playing their song (very similar to many other videos from fairly new bands). These shots show the band to be lively and, most likely, a decent enough band to see live.


Verdict:  

Video: Fairly uninspiring stuff about our country’s issues and the usual live footage. However, it is sort of saved by some good shots.

R R r  (EDIT: 2 ½ R's)

Single: The easiest way to sum this up would be to class it as “iPod fodder” – easy to listen to and, if someone would find it, you wouldn't be embarrassed by it but not original enough. It doesn't leave enough for you to actively search for it.

R R R  

Holding Tides EP Review

Holding Tides - Last of the Small Town Heroes - EP Review

“For their début work, ‘Last Of The Small Town Heroes’, Holding Tides have taken existing songs and reworked them with new lyrics, riffs and drumbeats to create a more gritty and dynamic sound.”
This is a small section from the press text that I have read. Since I have personally never heard this band before, I thought this would be a great opportunity to get my teeth in and give this band a listen. This kind of debut shows that they have pure dedication to their music and to the band, and that they are willing to make a change for better.
The EP opens up with a series of radio interferences and news headlines. News reporters speak of the city being under attack in the first track – ‘The Emergency Broadcast’. Straight after comes a hard riff that is sure to get any rocker's head banging. Without holding anything back, they come through with a strong power ballad which almost sounds as if they are trying to make a statement about themselves.
As the EP progresses, it begins to simmer down a bit, which helps get their message across clearer. It's as if it’s saying "right, now they have been hit with a big opener, now let's turn down a notch for a bit." I feel that if this is the case, they have done the right thing in doing so. The 3rd and 4th track – ‘Grace by Green’ and ‘Paraffin’ - let the listener relax a bit and just take it all in. You begin to easily understand the meaning behind them as you “feel” the song.
Half way through, there is an unexpected interlude track, simply titled ‘Interlude’. Although it does come out of the blue, it is very well put together and it really compliments the band. Saying that, the interlude does somewhat differ to the rest of the other songs in the track list. I'm not saying that it is a bad thing (in many ways it's a very good thing because it works really well), I'm just saying, keep your ears open and your mind free for this; if you don't pay attention you might miss it.
As the album comes to a close, it finishes with an explosion of good riffs and classic rhythms. Just like the start of the album, their ending track is another broadcast - the final broadcast.
Overall, I think this is a good band to go and check out. They have lots of potential and they are going to go places, without a doubt.
- Jason

Cattle - Band Review

I was unsure of what to expect when I first listened to Leeds based 3-piece ‘Cattle’. The band label themselves as “noise rock” and, after extensive listening, I agree that this is certainly the most accurate way to describe them.

Considering that the band produced all aspects of the EP themselves, the sound quality is incredible. The drums sound just like a live drum set; which can be a very difficult sound to reproduce, without spending thousands upon thousands of pounds on the best recording equipment. And, in terms of recording quality, the EP would not sound out of place among professional recordings. My only criticism in terms of production is that sometimes the vocals are a bit too quiet - but that's me being picky.

However, things are different in terms of the material that has been recorded for the EP. There is no doubt that the music that Cattle play certainly caters to an acquired taste – unfortunately, it's not really my cup of tea. The first connection that was made in my head, when listening to the self-titled EP, is how similar the vocals are to the audio in the viral YouTube video 'Goats Yelling like Humans'. Though Cattle have done very well to produce the tracks so that they still have a reasonable amount of texture (even though the only instruments used are drums and bass guitar) such a bare line up of instruments does limit the diversity of the sound of the songs. All four tracks are very repetitive and I found myself mistaking them for one long song. I must say though, that Cattle is comprised of two very skilled musicians; the time signature switches are amazing, they sound difficult but are executed perfectly.

I think that Cattle could be very popular were their music to be exposed to the right crowd. As I have before mentioned, they cater to an acquired taste. Though I found it hard to get into the EP, I can appreciate the skill of the musicians and the spectacular production of the band’s debut release. I look forward to hearing Cattle's sound mature with time and seeing what they produce in years to come.

Riff Rating: R R (Two R's)

Review by Connor Langham.

ED WOOD / MONOLITIAN Split EP Review

ED WOOD

ED WOOD at first sounds like old school punk/hardcore, forced vocals and a dull droning sound then as 

we go through the EP progressively gets more thrash. 

"Talking to the void" is the first song on the EP sounding like a dulled down Black Flag with more 

forced vocals, and that's saying something. A little ambient at first then you get hit with the 

strained vocals, like a cross between a funeral procession and an old clock you hear a DING - DONG 

thus making it an entirely unpleasent song to listen to. You're not Sabbath, don't steal the "Black 

Sabbath Riff.

1/5

"When good times go bad" is a little better, the vocals fit better in time with the song, making it 

listenable, the kick drum however seems very out of place, everythings all dull and refined then you 

hear the kick in the background perfectly undistorted. It sounds like really early punk.

2/5

Track number 3. "Dissconnection Notice" is by far the best on this EP, the vocals are bearable, and 

the music isn't horrible, ED - a message to you, if you want people to listen to you, this is the 

track to base it all on.

4/5

"little Mirrors" Sounds like nails down a chalkboard I couldn't stand it for more than 10 seconds, 

ED, Don't make music - Ever.

0/5

Artwork was sick, and whoever designed it ED, would probably play better than you aswell

WATCH THIS SPACE, YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE THIS CRASH AND BURN, EVERYONE LOVES A FIRE SHOW.

MONOLITIAN

Monolitian "Sea Of Trees" now here's a band with potential, your vocals are good maybe a little weak 

but good. the music itself is put together nicely, fitting perfectly with the vocals, great sound.

Word of advice though guys, don't pair with ED, he'll bring you down.

3/5

Watch this space (Not for the same reason as ED WOOD)

Overall 1/5 ED

3/5 Mono

Sean

We Were Beautiful - This Town EP

We Were Beautiful – This Town EP
Released 4th February 2013
Tack listing

1. This Town
2. The Wolves
3. Death Do Us Part
4. Jealousy

After supporting the likes of Lower Than Atlantis and Deaf Havana, the bar was set high for Liverpudlian rockers We Were Beautiful’s debut EP but it’s fair to say that the band have easily outstripped expectations with This Town.
From the very first note of This Town, the record flows effortlessly in a string of upbeat choruses and beautiful lyrics that highlight the discernible influences of Biffy Clyro and Funeral For A Friend – a doubtful combination that works perfectly in crafting a masterpiece of a debut that will certainly charm fans of every genre. Fantastic heart-felt belter Death Do Us Part juxtaposes brilliantly with Jealousy, a heavier tune that will induce instinctive head banging and have you singing it for the rest of the day.
Not a single second of this superb record is simply average. It’s clear that We Were Beautiful have incredible talent and the future looks promising for the band who look prepared to pull out all the stops on their voyage to get balls deep within the heart of the alternative music scene.

Abbie Harrop