Reaper In Sicily – Islands

Listening to the debut album from Reaper In Sicily who cannot help wondering and going as far to suggest that the band has all the ability and creative strength to become Britain’s alternative to Billy Talent. Apart from strong whispers of the Canadians in sound across a lot of Islands, the quintet also has the same skill and invention in landing a mighty punch with their sound whilst seducing with melodic imagination and inciting the passions with anthemic crafted vocals and hooks. The ten track album is excellent, exceeding the promise earlier single Horizons suggested and setting the Aberdare band as one of the most exciting and promising emerging rock bands.

Reaper in Sicily began in 2009 and with a sound which has been compared to the likes of The Blackout and Rise Against and a potent and lively live show, soon became the winners of the unsigned live act in Kerrang! Magazine. Their debut single We Are The Show garnered strong responses and widespread play on TV and radio across the UK but then in 2010 guitarist Matthew Jenkins diagnosed with leukaemia taking the band on hiatus until he was able to return, which thankfully he did later the same year. Two EPs swiftly followed to continue the rise of the band as well as successful appearances at both the Reading and Leeds festivals and supporting and playing alongside the likes of Kids In Glass Houses, The Subways, Max Raptor, Attack! Attack!, Mallory Knox, Hawthorne Heights, Fightstar, The Xcerts, Straight Lines, I Spy Strangers, Evarosa, Hildamay and many more. Islands was recorded in the closing weeks of 2012 with Romesh Dodangoda (Funeral For A Friend, Kids In Glass Houses) and as mentioned the release of Horizons set up a urgent anticipation for its debut though even that hunger we would suggest did not expect such an impressive encounter.

The Prisoner sets things ablaze with dawning caresses of guitar before shrugging off any restraint to open up sinews and melodic persuasion framed and veined by the firm hand of drummer Damon Miles’ beats and the rumbling tones of the bass of Mike Evans. With energy flowing freely and attention fully captured the guitars of Jenkins and Jonny Chappell carve a distinct and captivating character to the song whilst the excellent expressive tones of vocalist Rhys Bernardo drive the ride with slight squalls within his enticing delivery. The song is an immediate draw which without lighting the same depth of fire as following songs, sets the listener up to eagerly embrace what is to come.

The following 50 raises the bar again with muscular riffs and strongly beckoning grooves casting their temptation over senses and passions. The tight craft and melodic enterprise reminds of bands such as The Blackout and even Avenged Sevenfold whilst the punk snarl edges things with hardcore confrontation. Once it makes way for Down But Not Out it finds itself outplayed whilst the album continues to get better and better. The third song builds on the base of its predecessor to expel even stronger scowling venom and caustic winds within ridiculously infectious enterprise and sounds. Into its stride the track takes its recipient on a riotous dance with moments of bruising attitude and exhausting passion which again cements and accelerates the growing presence and promise.

The single Horizon still impresses as it did on its unveiling, thumping rhythms alongside the thick tones of the bass wrapped in fiery guitar washes thrilling whilst Bernardo lights another emotive heat to engage and entice things further, whilst the likes of Old Dogs and the title track romp and emotively stroll respectively to weave continuing creative textures and calls before thought and heart. It has to be said that there is a similarity to the surface sound of many of the songs but with the invention beneath and accomplished polish of its shine it is not an issue and will evolve out ahead as the band mature.

The tail of the album is its most impressive as Islands continues to get even stronger song by song. Sunnydale Sucks encloses the ear with addict forming riffs and a varied bluster of vocals, coarse and melodic, which enslave the imagination whilst the guitars bound it all in sonic teasing to set richer flames in their fire. Then Boys Will Be Boys comes in to steal top honours with its furnace of passionate vocals, virulent melodic contagion, and energetic imagination, every second a bouncing and incendiary companion uniting for a fervour crafted triumph.  Those Billy Talent references are at their most inviting at this point of the album with both The Catalina Wine Mixer and the closing Chuck Norris Got A Chainsaw making their thrilling interpretations. Both songs leave a breathless appetite rife which immediately snatches at the play button to enjoy the outstanding album all over again at their completion.

Islands should and will be a trigger to an unbridled new sea of attention and acclaim for Reaper In Sicily and it will be all deserved we can assure you. Check out the album and remove any doubts the very best way.

www.facebook.com/reaperinsicily

8.5/10

RingMaster 10/06/2013

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7 Day Weekend: Self Titled EP

Coming on the back of their excellent snarling single Endless Doses, UK alternative rock band 7 Day Weekend nationally release their reworked self titled EP. The five track reboot is the portrait of a young, fresh and promising band with big things on their horizon. Accomplished in creating and using explosive melodies and emotive grandeur, the band is well on course to become a recognised sound country wide.

One of the exciting things about the band is the well crafted and mature sounds they already create at their seemingly young age, watch the videos and see if you are not thinking their mums must be there telling them it is time to come in for tea and not to forget to wash their hands first. It is fair to say they are still evolving and with the aforementioned single one assumes being a newer song compared to those on the EP, they are well on the way to bringing bulk and definition to their sound.

In its original form the EP was released in the fall of 2011, bringing them comparisons to You Me At Six and Young Guns. Already with a strong reputation from their live shows the band then recorded a four track acoustic EP which they gave away for free. Its fine sounds and musicianship led the band to the attention of Gavin Butler (The Blackout) and Neil Starr (Attack! Attack!), who invited the band to open the Manchester show on the Ghosts & Echoes Tour. This was followed by being hand-picked by Feeder to be the sole support on their April Tour. As well as also playing two self funded tours of the UK, the Warrington quintet of Clayton Leah (rhythm guitar), Tom Hancox (lead guitar), Calan Nickle (vocals), John Handy (drums), and Dan Hancox (bass), has pushed themselves to the edge of national exposure which the revisited debut EP as well as the latest single can only ensure is a done deal.

    7 Day Weekend pull inspiration from the likes of Kids In Glass Houses, Young Guns, and You Me At Six which are clear to hear from the first song on the release alone and makes those earlier mentioned comparisons understandable. Ghosts Of Me swaggers in on an eager drum roll and feisty guitars before settling into an energised stroll of sonic riffs, thumping rhythms, and melodic enterprise. The vocals of Nickle are immediately impressive with strong expression to transport the heart of the lyrics to the ear. The track is catchy with keen hooks without being overly infectious but it does linger after its close which is always a good sign. It also has a muscular core which arguably is lacking on the other songs though not to their detriment, making it a strong introduction to the release and band if new to the ear.

As the following Mistakes expands over the senses with its rippling beginning one expects more of the same as the first song but it relaxes into a more emotive piece of songwriting though it is not lacking in passion or keenness. By this point too, the heavy bass sounds of Hancox are starting to mesmerise, his lines growling, often with seeming contempt, to add real depth to the songs. Sharp guitar play and melodic imagination makes the track another very satisfying companion and though not as memorable as its predecessor after it takes its leave, it shows strength and diversity to the songwriting of the band.

Kingdoms is another emotionally driven slice of pleasure and though it takes its time emerges as one of the highlights on the release. It is a mellow track to seduce the senses but still with grit to its breath to make it an impactful treat.

After the Lost Prophets like Hide and the infectious Seasons Like These, again songs which capture the imagination though not as dramatically as those before, the song closes with a trio of acoustic tracks which only go to confirm the quality of band and music.

If one was to be overly picky there is a lack of fire in the belly of the EP at times, that spark of instinctive feistiness but as the current single Endless Doses has that in abundance, one can take it the band have that sorted too. The single is immense and hits all the right targets and heights in one powerful blow.

7 Day Weekend is a band with promise and impressive ability dripping from every sound they share and whether through this EP or the single, preferably both, it would be amiss for all not to accept their musical offerings.

www.facebook.com/7dayweekenduk

RingMaster 15/09/2012

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States of Matter: The Scheme of Things

If you are looking for some new and exciting rock sounds then maybe head over to the debut album from UK band States of Matter. With a flavoursome mix of classic and hard rock with extra spices from far and wide The Scheme of Things will more than feed the demands and senses of rock fans everywhere. Eight tracks of enthusiastic and finely crafted rock n roll it is hard to imagine many that will not be wrapped up within its energised eagerness immediately and permanently. To be honest classic and hard rock with very few exceptions fly by our tastes only receiving a cursory glance at best but this little enthused piece of sound has had a few secretive and furtive returns on top of just around the review.

Formed in September 2011, the quintet from Bournemouth is as new as the sounds they rustle up with skill and strength. Taking influences from the likes of and as wide as Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Yellowcard, Ray Charles, and Kids In Glass Houses, they have taken no time in grabbing attention with live shows around the south of England and their debut video for opening song on the album Skyline. Filmed at Bristol Filton Airport earlier in the year it offers all you need to know about States of Matter and The Scheme of Things.

Skyline emerges on a wave of electronic atmosphere as a sizzling guitar lights up its skies with a fine display of melodic invention. The song builds up its elevated presence before reaching a plateau of powerful riffs and boisterous energy which finds an even more enthused intensity within the excellent infectious chorus. The track is an immediate hook from the album, an invitation into its arms that is impossible to resist. The vocals of George Holloway are impressive and easily fit the stylish sounds surrounding him, backed by great group vocals throughout the song.

As indicated in the opener the guitars of Harrison Perks and Richard Couchman are another element of the songs which one cannot fail to be impressed with, the following Jeez Louise sealing the opinion with some fine and imaginative play from both. The song is a definite favourite on the album, another irresistible slice of strong songwriting and its contagious unleashing. Though not always as openly heard as one would like on the more raucous tracks, the bass of Iain Sheppard is a brooding growl behind the song, his obvious ability adding a groove behind the scorched guitar sounds.

The album as it progresses reveals a diversity of sound and intent which is to be admired especially as the band pulls it off each and every time. The power ballad Cassiopeia is an emotive feast for the ear of passion fuelled piano and guitar majesty, the track rising and dipping in intensity like a heavy hearted chest. The power and reach of the song explores beyond the ear to wrap tightly around senses and emotions, a masterful piece of composing brought forth with further passion.

The eighties rock flavouring of Hot Of The Press adds another taste to the album and though it is not as striking as the trio of songs before it, classic rock fans will love its easy and anthemic sounds. The track, alongside Shotaway and the closing Hit For Six, did not quite find the appeal as elsewhere here but that is down to personal taste only and the dislike of the genre that spines them. They are like the medicine that you know is good for you but has a taste that makes one reluctant to take it, for those that love older rock sounds they will drool over them.

The remaining two songs on the album are the soulful Only Lovers Left Alive with a great southern twang to its provocative charms and the excellent The Casual Company. With a splatter of sleaze to its bluesy rock stance it has a splash of Wasted Sinners to it that draws one in eagerly. The rhythms of Lloydi Gee Pearson throw the ear into a frenzied state as the bass and guitars twist and turn with exuberance and ingenuity. The track is real rock n roll brought by real rock n rollers and pure pleasure.

If you love your classic and hard rock you will adore States of Matter and if not you will still find more than enough satisfying and imaginative things within The Scheme of Things to have a great time in its company, we did.

https://www.facebook.com/StatesofMatterUK

Ringmaster 16/05/2012

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Promise Me Tomorrow – Through It All

UK pop punk/rock band Promise Me Tomorrow have steadily made a growing impression on the British rock scene with their eager and well formed melody veined songs and  hard work attitude. January 23^rd sees the release of their mini-album Through It All and their next step to bigger and more expansive things. Complete with boundless energy and vibrant songs the release offers up Promise Me Tomorrow as the next band top challenge to the leading pop rock bands currently gracing the UK and already ahead of a great many others.

From Kent and formed early 2010 the band has already made great strides with their clean cut up-beat sounds tinged with essences of punk capturing some national airplay and sharing stages with the likes of Army of Freshmen, Pegasus Bridge, Francesqa, Paige, Summerlin and Jody has a Hitlist, and The Morning Of. The same year saw the band release their debut EP This Picture, A Memory but it was 2011 and the single ‘You Haven’t Seen The Best Of Me’ with its video that saw the band made a deeper mark and draw firmer attention, something the new release will reinforce and enhance.

Through It All is a strong solidly rounded album though it is not until halfway it really ignites. Throughout it offers well crafted melodies with infectious hooks and fluid harmonies that cruise around the ear with keen exuberance. Opening with the instant accessibility of ‘More Than You Know’ the band shows themselves to lie somewhere between the likes of You Me At Six, Kids In Glass Houses and Jimmy Eats World though they do not quite find the irresistible elements of the latter’s best songs yet. The group harmonies here and throughout are a strong feature to thoroughly compliment the impressively composed and crafted melodies. The guitars weave strong patterns to ensure attention to their creative strolls whilst the rhythms and basslines steer tracks firmly without demanding total compliance allowing the songs to flow with ease. Vocalist Craig Lawrence has a good control and with only a wish for tracks to occasionally add roughened up vocals and growls the delivery brings a willing bond to the sounds.

The previously mentioned single is included and it is obvious as to why it opened up more and more to the band’s music with it’s willing to please hunger and excited urgency. Along with the opener these tracks seem to be the lead ones to bring people into the release but as fine as they are it is the likes of ‘For All The Wrong Reasons’ and ‘All Or Nothing’ that raise the levels a notable notch. The first starts on a light opening that brings queries about whether it is going to have anything special about it to enthral. The group harmonies around the chorus soon dispel doubts and the track swells with lingering melodies. The second of the two attaches to the ear with a punk fused greediness and intensity. It never dips into real aggression but shows the band can be enthused in attitude as well as any pop punk band and is the highlight of the release plus the provocation to want more harshness added vocally to some tracks.

It is fair to say Promise Me Tomorrow are still searching for their distinctly own sound but with the songs mentioned added to by the strong creative showings of ‘Go Get ‘Em Kid’ and ‘Knockbacks & Heart Attacks’ they are well on their way and already a satisfying addition to any eager energetic melody seeking playlist.

https://www.facebook.com/promisemetomorrowuk

RingMaster 11/01/2012

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