We heard the buzz and now we know it is pretty much on the mark, UK band Making Monsters is one striking and seriously exciting proposition. Our evidence comes with the band’s new EP, Bad Blood. It is six tracks of highly irritable and even more contagious rock ‘n’ roll equipped with the snarl of punk and bold diversity of alternative rock; a proposal which stirs the instincts and spirit from start to finish; oh the fact that the band’s sound has a touch of Animal Alpha to it does it no harm either.
Emerging in 2011, the Derry based Making Monsters soon poked at keen attention with their self-titled debut EP the following year, that potently back by successor, Attention, two years later. Alongside that success, the quartet has developed and honed their sound and live presence, impressing and luring new flocks of fans while sharing stages with the likes of Young Guns, Silverstein, We Came As Romans, Max Raptor, and Skindred amongst many. A clutch of singles have increasingly stirred the blood and ears these past couple of years while a full UK tour with Fightstar and Arcane Roots last October cemented the band’s growing reputation. With Bad Blood though, it is easy to expect the band stepping into new spotlights and strength of acclaim, the EP holding all the creative cards to be a game changer in the ascent of the band as it is in their sound.
Straight away the EP suggests there is a new maturity and even bolder adventure to the Making Monsters sound, a thought confirmed song by song across Bad Blood. It opens up with its mighty title track, a slab of punk ‘n’ roll straight away teasing with spicy hooks as the instantly impressing roar of Emma Gallagher takes on all challengers in attitude and quality. Guitars and boisterous rhythms continue to entice and intimidate across the excellent encounter, Gallagher’s emotive fire backed by male scowls as Brian Doherty’s drum sticks beat out an addictive pattern.
It is a glorious start with, as suggested at the start, a great Animal Alpha hue to its tempest; an imagination and appetite inciting beginning to the release quickly and potently backed up by Call Me Out. A kinder affair on the senses for the main but with an imposing volatility, the dark stroll of Gary Todd’s throaty bass at first holds court with the provocative tones of Gallagher, who is already showing much more of her versatility; the pair soon colluding with the fiery enterprise of guitarist Paul Monk and heftily swung beats to stir up an already keen appetite.
Latest single Better comes in next; its entrance also less intrusive but taking a quickly unshakeable firm grip on ears as shimmering melodies and senses piercing hooks lay their bait into the rhythmically virulent swing of the song. There are moments throughout it where thoughts wonder if Distillers were fused with Stolen Babies, would they sound like and as riveting as this. They are essences which continue to flavour a song which has the energies breathless and hunger greedier by its end, so luckily We Aren’t Living is next to eagerly share its melodic pop ‘n’ roll with a growl and a tenacious will. Like those around it, the track offers plenty of unpredictable twists and moments of fascinating imagination, neither ever disrupting the flow and impact.
Rose seduces next, Gallagher caressing ears with her warm yet snarly tones as sultry tendrils of guitar sway. It is a mesmeric coaxing soon over run by a torrent of spiky riffs and busy rhythms providing a just as enticing invitation. As now expected things are soon turning down new avenues and offering a variety of twists woven into a blaze of a song as raucous as it is emotively inflamed and intimate.
Bad Blood ends on our favourite track, a rampaging beast of attitude and invention going by the name of Noodle Sync. Noise and garage rock meets punk metal infused rock ‘n’ roll, the track is a blistering assault and trespass on ears and the senses. It is a cauldron of raw riffs and invasive hooks driven by the diverse drama and emotion of Gallagher’s explosive voice and presence, her ability and invention more than matched in sound and imagination by the rest of the band.
It is a stunning end to a quite exhilarating release; an EP which just might be the making of Making Monsters and certainly another step towards major things for the band one suspects.
The Bad Blood EP is out now digitally @ http://makingmonsters.bandcamp.com/ with physical copies available @ http://makingmonsters.bigcartel.com/product/bad-blood-ep
http://www.makingmonsters.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/makingmonsters https://twitter.com/makingmonsters1
Pete RingMaster 16/05/2016
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