Labels: In At the Deep End
Review by: Tom Hughes
A band of two halves, Brian. This bunch of Manchester metalcore modernists seem to operate in two distinct and not always reconcilable modes. The first and vastly preferable switch on the dial reads ‘Raaaarghhh!!’, is usually used in the verse and involves a lot of taut, imaginative and compelling metalcore moves, big shuddering, doomy rockslides of riffs and neat glitchy electronic add-ons that really do add something worthwhile on. But all too often right on the way into the chorus someone flips the damn switch to ‘Huurrwhoaahhyeahhh’ mode and in a second the screaming changes to a kind of drawly grunge croon and the guitars fall into a big, predictable, epic minor-chord cycle. it’s all gone a bit chart-metal, basically. They cheapen their (really good) good points with these lazy, wailing, grandstanding choruses – that aren’t quite enough steps away from fucking Nickleback for comfort – and they do happen a bit too often through this EP. But nevertheless, those raging hardcore parts are fast, smart, and bristling with hooks, and the dubby, reverb-drenched electronic asides really do make sense where so often these things don’t. A darn fine racket at least half the time, here’s hoping that switch gets stuck in good mode somehow.