Labels: Promise! Promise!
Review by: Andy Malcolm
This is the debut release from a Polish post-hardcore band, playing rocking stuff that could have fit nicely on Deep Elm about 10 years ago. A good contemporary for this lot would be Everton. Setting the Woods on Fire have a similar approach, slightly whiney vocals and dealing out a hefty, satisfying melodic burst on each song. Opener “It Ends Today” is probably my favourite of all the songs they do, judging the pace nicely, and exploding with energy. Now and again the vocals hit hoarse screams, but this isn’t over done and it actually fits the music which is often rare when these two styles are combined.
One slight knock on this record is that there is a layer of distortion all over the recording which doesn’t quite fit. Yes, this kind of music should never be clean but the fuzz is a bit too noticeable and detracts with prolonged listening. Regardless, this is a really solid album that I think would impress people looking for a certain sound that so few bands even attempt in 2009. If you like your post hardcore melodic, but with a gritty, grungey sensibility then this could be right up your street.