Lucy T- ‘Murphy’s Law’ EP (April/May 2012– Self Released)

        Lucy T is a five piece alternative band based in Hampshire, England who formed in early 2011. They’ve already shared the stage with Don Broco, Adelaide and Jody Has Hitlist. The band combines a blend of British style Hardcore, Pop Punk and chunky riffs and have received mentions in Rocksound magazine. ‘Murphy’s Law’ is set for release within April or May this year and the EP’s artwork is currently being designed.

Lucy T

     Although ‘For The Wreck(ord)’ mirrors Lostprophets’ tearjerker ‘Rooftops’, down to a tee, the instrumentation is undoubtedly full of potential and Thom Palser’s vocals merge with it incredibly. However, by the third chorus, the overly repetitive nature of the chorus makes it less striking each time despite Palser’s bright vocals. The input of screamo vocals at the very end of the track appear to have been thrown in to simply reflect Lucy T’s Hardcore influences, rather than any musical purpose. ‘They Fall Winglessly’, with guest vocals from Russ Merry, is everything a typical, more gentle Pop Punk song is made up of; a smoother beginning building up into a chorus with angst and heartbreak filled long notes wonderfully executed. In a similar format to early Paramore or Kids in Glass Houses, Lucy T manage to blend backing, screamo and lead vocals very well, as well as instrumentation throughout the track, until the great, very well produced faded ending.

     Despite the fact that each track begins in a generic Pop Punk format, Lucy T’s individuality shines through as they progress; ‘Exhertion’ boasts thunderous drumming, speedy guitaring and wide set, emotion filled lyrics; ‘the smile don’t come easy.’ With classic Metal riffs, gang vocals and vocal dynamics, this track is everything the band wish to illustrate, especially with their lyrics being so general, and therefore appealing to as many people as possible. Title track ‘Murphy’s Law’ begins similarly to the other tracks of the EP, which reflect how difficult it can be for band’s to discover and develop their own sound and reflect it in their work without coming across as repetitive or dull. Yet this track is quite limp due to its glacial pace and despite the Metal breakdown.

Promo: Lucy T wristbands

    With various influences and styles inputted into ‘Murphy’s Law’, Lucy T have managed to compose something very well produced, as individual as possible, with emotive lyrics and great potential.

3/5

Grand Central- ‘01’ EP (09/12/2011 –Hell Vice/ Viscous Records

     Grand Central emerged in early 2010, formed of ex-members of two bands with the desire to play Punk Rock, Hardcore and straight up Rock. Inspired by the likes of The Ghost of a Thousand and Gallows, Grand Central recorded ‘01’ in Limours, France and it was released on the 9^th of December last year.

'01': Album artwork

   Rhythmic and lively, ‘Pacific’ depicts all that Grand Central are about; angst, anger, and a general overflow of emotion spilling out into listeners’ ears. However, to truly understand where a band are coming from in terms of how they want to come across, perhaps as a serious, or politically driven band, lyrics are imperative. Unfortunately, anything lyrical is lost behind the overly energetic instrumentation, and cannot even be saved my A Day to Remember style gang vocals and rather ambitious guitar solos. ‘You Fuck, We Don’t…’ continues in much the same way, and it also emerges that the language barrier between French and English may be a problem. Although the band have opted to sing in English, most likely, to reach as wide an audience as possible, the loud instrumentation, scream style vocals and accent block any potential for effective lyrics.

     Each track works in a run-of-the-mill, average manner with regards to instrumentation, and ‘Beautiful Losers’ is a wilted attempt at an ironic, oxymoron driven title, which cannot be boosted by more screaming and swearing to express anxieties. Grand Central is one of those bands that make you smile, but only when you realise the tracks reaching its conventional wrap. The much welcomed final track, ‘Hollow (The Dead Man Song)’, makes use of understandable lyrics, which are severely disappointing; ‘The city burns.’ It is clear the band have made no attempt to attach themselves to any kind of theme, topic or emotion whatsoever, and have lost themselves in a screaming hardcode mess.

Grand Central's Press Photo

     With giving nothing to listeners to take, aside from endless attempts to decipher lyrics and generic back beats, Grand Central’s shining moments are terribly few and far between.

0/5

The Sacrificed- ‘III’ (31/01/2012 – Roxx Records/Divine Metal Distribution)

     The Sacrificed is a metal and progressive Christian Rock band from Lakeland, Florida who were formed back in 2005. Despite different backgrounds and musical influences such as Dream Theater and Iron Maiden, the band shared Christian faith. Their first demo, ‘The Da Vinci Hoax’ was released in March 2007 and was signed by Roxx Records in 2009 and recorded their debut album ‘2012’ in July of the same year, aiming to reach a much wider audience. After adding two more band members, ‘III’ is intended to be simple yet powerful and represents this as the band’s third effort, whilst also reflecting the three nails that were meant to have pierced the hands and feet of Jesus Christ when he was crucified.

'Powerful' Album Artwork

      Despite being wary of uproar the mainstream world may bring to the controversial album art, the band emphasise that their music and lyrics can reach out to any listener. Commencing with the theatrical, scary movie style spoken lyrics ‘A plane has crashed into the world trade centre…’, ‘The World is Changing’ attempts the Angels & Airwaves, 30 Seconds to Mars or Rise Against flair with very little effect. Merging into ‘Falling’ which immediately crash lands into a much heavier, metal style. Subconsciously, many perceive metal as full of anger and hatred and The Sacrificed’s attempt to eradicate this idea with terrible sound effects but decent guitaring, combined with odd vocal styles and lyrics. The worship and prayer orientation of this album is almost like a parody of more mainstream metal music.

      ‘Ark of the Covenant’ works well in terms of rhythm and instrumentation, but its aspiration to be powerful and not for the faint hearted is definitely questionable. Perhaps even laughable. However, The Sacrificed speak from the heart and make music about what is important to them, which is something to admire from any band or artist. Yet, referring to divisive topics, even amongst the Christian community, such as the reality of the crucifixion of Jesus and how horrific it was meant to have been, does not bode well with the Christian or Metal conventions as such. ‘The Nephilim Agenda’ (yes, I have no idea either!) and ‘Times Up’ illustrate almost inaudible vocals, excessive guitar solos and no worship elements whatsoever. From my experience, Christians tend to devote time to showing God, and people around them how much they appreciate him, in a joyful and more peaceful manner, with the likes of Hillsong United and Phil Wickham.

      Although, with a much lighter, more sentimental elegance, ‘Words on The Gin’ has the potential to be much more effective, but is very lacking lyrically. ‘Behold The Power of God’ may come across as another emotion or worship driven offering, but The Sacrificed opts to revert back to their odd merge of Metal and God. By convention, Metal tracks tend to be rather long, but ‘Regeneration’ is so repetitive, its 4 and a half minutes snails by, much like ‘Offended’ does.

The Sacrificed: Merging Metal and Christianity  

      Concluding with ‘Before the Storm’ and ‘24’, ‘III’ fails to provide the promise The Sacrificed propose they are capable of. With an unruly merge of Metal and Christianity, inaudible or ineffective lyrics and a few decent guitars solos thrown around, the album, especially for a third release, it abysmal and fails to reach out to either Metal heads or Christians.

0/5

Turning Days- ‘Made For This’ (Summer 2011- Self Released)

         As heard on BBC Suffolk, Turning Days’ debut EP ‘Made For This’ reflects the development the band have collectively managed after being together just over a year. Turning Days have played gigs in Suffolk (where they are from), as well as Essex and London, and the EP was recorded last summer.

 ‘Sun, Sea, Sex and Paradise’ is full of chirpy rhymes and rhythms, but the odd song title reflects the immature lyrical content. However, the instrumentation works well with the not so effective vocal attempts. Turning Days have a similar style and sound to the likes of Biffy Clyro and Twin Atlantic, but have not yet revealed much potential for being as popular. Although, the concluding guitar solo of this track is similar to that of The Darkness, reflecting the band’s range of inspirations and ideas regarding the way they wish to come across, and therefore, be perceived.

Turning Days' Promo

     It is clear that Turning Days have yet to pin-point their style of genre, as ‘Made For This’ is full of indie and festival overtones, with a repetitive, somewhat limp, Arctic Monkeys vibe. Yet once again, the intense instrumentation, particularly the guitaring and use of gang vocals to wrap up the song really shine through. This Arctic Monkeys quality evident in ‘Devil’s Jester’, although the track is also composed of a Vampire Weekend elegance though its optimistic beat. Unfortunately, the vocalist has yet to master the apparent effortless sound that many indie vocalists utilises extensively, making his voice come across as wilted and ineffective at times.

      Turning Days have done a wonderful job considering this is their debut recording, and how little time they have been together. But several aspects, especially the vocals must become musically enriched if the band are to progress in the industry.

2/5

BlackMamba- Self-Titled EP (28/01/2010 – Self Released)

     BlackMamba are a Classic Rock band from North West England. The band also label themselves as Hard Rock, which is somewhat questionable, although their inspirations include the likes of Aerosmith, Iron Maiden and Guns ‘n’ Roses. This, their very first EP, was released on the 28^th of January last year. They are currently one of 50 acts to make it to the final stage of the ‘Live and Unsigned’ competition after auditions earlier this year.

The album artwork for Black Mamba's Self Titled EP

     The band have a very speedy, old school, 1980s-driven sound from the get go with ‘Give Me Poison’ which is anthemic despite it being amateur. Yet the track does not quite have the arena filling potential of their inspirations but is a very positive foundation for the future. ‘Refuse To Lose’ is not repetitive as such, but very cyclic and not quite as hard-hitting all the way through as it could be, as the band almost appear to literally lose momentum towards the end of the track. Black Mamba are almost like a good ‘80s tribute band, in the same effective style Jack Black utilises for his role in the 2003 film ‘School of Rock’. Despite this, the second song is composed of a more metal vibe, with speedy guitaring and great drumming via the symbol.

     However, lyrically, especially in ‘Losin’ My Mind’, BlackMamba should not be afraid to reach a deeper emotional level, as well as the 80s association with endless drinking and drug consumption; ‘this bottles your only friend.’ These somewhat limp and white-washed lyrics eradicate the potential the band may have for a wider fan base who truly appreciate them as a band in a sentimental sense. Although the guitar solo is nothing short of spectacular but one cannot help but think of the band as wannabe punks of an era well before their time or comprehension Steel Panther are mickey takers of the very genre and period they are performing through and are very sure of their sound and style. Even in final track ‘Tooth Ache’, however melodic the song appears, assisted by the gripping, intense bass, its lyrics of ‘What doesn’t kill me will make me stronger.’ let them down severely once more.

BlackMamba have yet to nail their image...

     BlackMamba has a good foundation of great instrumentation and vocals, but their appearance and overall flair leave a lot to be desired.

2/5