What can we tell you about UK Hardcore band The Break Out…well not much really except they are a quintet from Bristol which formed in 2011 taking influences from the likes of The Bronx, The Ghost Of A Thousand, Propagandhi , The (International) Noise Conspiracy, and The Computers into their own intent, and most importantly recently released their second EP, the ferocious and uncompromising New Barbarians.
Bristol is a hot bed of talent right now, the wealth of diverse and impressive bands coming from there and surrounding areas never seeming to end, and you can add this bruising encounter of a band to the list. Following their self-titled EP of last year, New Barbarians is a brawl which though like most releases is not flawless it seeps potent promise and rich satisfaction from every track and confrontational sound. The five tracks making up the release take no prisoners especially in the vocal department but offer a fire of passion and invention which is impossible to pass over or not enthuse about.
The EP opens with the instantly abrasive Black Eyes, a fusion of punk and hardcore which grazes the senses through the vocals of Rich Thomas ably aided by another of the band. Around them though the guitars offer a restrained but potent groove within the acidic riffing, both Nath Fiction and Craig Wilkes taking little time to develop adventure to their attack and imagination to the off shooting flames they unveil. It is nevertheless a riot which demands and commands attention, the bass of Mikey Emson purring throatily from within the harsh energy and the rhythms of drummer Tom Vincer slapping the ear with the craft and spite of a middleweight. Across its length there is plenty to intrigue and keep attention enthralled even if it may take a few plays to discover all.
The following Beggars On A Golden Throne unloads a strong rock groove inspiring the slabs of riffs to join it before combining both for another appealing and accomplished rage of rock ‘n’ roll. As with the first it is fair to say there are no elements which call out with the most potent of persuasions but together combine to create a riveting and incendiary confrontation leaving no one short on satisfaction.
The title track rounds up the senses and emotions with a rally of beckoning drum instructions before the guitars and bass add their lures to the emerging tempest which is in no rush to show its full declaration, but when it does it is an excellent blues veined punk rampage. As on all songs there is never a moment where things are left without a drenching of imagination and aggressive energy ensuring the seeds of hunger for the band are sonically watered from start to finish again though their call is not always initially loud. The best track on the EP, it shows that though arguably The Break Out still have yet to define a unique voice in the genre they are not far away.
With You Wouldn’t Catch Han Solo In A Fucking Call Centre continuing the impressive presence of band and release there is to temper things just a touch of a yearning for some more variety to the vocals, especially with this song the only one to try and expand that area a little to show the others up in that area. Thomas squalls impressively but across all songs it is an exhausting wash without any diversity which for many could deflect from the creative enterprise going on musically. It is a small niggle though to be honest and this track alone triggers the unreserved intent to keep the EP on regular rotation.
The closing Good News For The Modern Man leaves things on a high if without finding the same heights as its predecessors, though once more the guitars bring a weave of adventurous and flaming rock before the ear. If looking for an emerging still evolving fresh voice to your hardcore needs, than the New Barbarians EP is well worth a visit. The Break Out is not there yet with an individual stance but our money is on that happening in the near future.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBreakOutOfficial
7.5/10
RingMaster 06/06/2013
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