Labels: Hard Travelin’ – Hope
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Io cranked out a really decent cd a couple of years ago, and I think they may have since split,
though I can’t be certain. If so, this is the final output from them, and that’s a damn
shame as this 7″ is rather fine. Once we get past the random noisy intro they coast
into the mellowed out spoken vocals and repeating rhythms, the guitar chiming in a
calming fashion. You can tell they aren’t going to just sit around in a daze for the
entire side though as the vocals build up the tension, then it all crashes into action.
Hoarse shouting and rumbling instruments, all sounding dark and grimy like if Spirit
Assembly had forgotten to wash for a month. It’s all bass and grooves and spilling the
vocals. On the flip, “This City is a Wick” thumps and grinds the darker parts, but weaves in these sneaky melodies to bind it all together before everything takes off with thumping drums, scorching vocals and a whole mess of bass bass bass.
Io are the perfect example of how emo exists in 2005, even if they’ve split up
themselves (?) – passionate, powerful and not ripping off 1994. Smart.