Back in 2016, UK rockers Tirade unveiled their self-titled debut EP, a release suggesting the potential of “something truly distinct and unique in sound and songwriting” whilst making for a rather pleasing and infectious introduction. Three years on and the Manchester hailing outfit step forward again to realise much of that promise within the Nothing Dramatic EP, a collection of contagion loaded tracks which argue the intimation of its title.
Whether Tirade has brought the full potential heard in that first release to life in Nothing Dramatic we question as while getting caught up in the individual creative webs of its songs it is easy to feel there is still plenty more to be discovered within by the quartet but there is no escaping the new wave of imagination and craft let alone instinctive catchiness fuelling five ear grabbing, appetite sparking encounters.
Nothing Dramatic opens up with its title track and immediately had ears pricked with its initial spindly riff, a hook even more enticing as a mass of noise bred temptation brews up around it. Straight away an infectious coaxing is at play, becoming even more mischievous as the band’s alternative rock bred sound erupts with a devilish swing and melodic tempting. The vocals of bassist Jake Tilley are just as magnetic as the enterprise around them, his and drummer Stevo Somerset’s manipulative rhythms caging the inventively magnetic exploits of guitarists Josh Pearl and Alex Young. Blending muscular and forceful textures with more poised and seductive hues, the song sets a high bar for the release and a moment which remained our favourite though closely nudged throughout the EP.
No Time follows with a moodier temperament though swiftly boisterous energy steers its controlled but eager stroll as vocals, harmonies and emotive melodies wrap a darker rhythmic breath. That instinctive contagiousness to Tirade songs again needs no invitation to make its persuasion as a diversity of hues and imagination continue to shape the mercurial landscape of the ear hooking track.
Similarly To Be Honest brings a tapestry of ideation and flavours to court the imagination, the song twisting with individual craft and turning with united adventure before Burned Out springs an almost punk/new wave like dexterity upon its pop ‘n’ roll canter. Both songs simply grabbed ears and appetite, the first with maybe less imposing invention than within tracks around it but with ease none the less while its successor uncaged a virulent and resourceful proposition come trespass of creative audacity to set another major moment within Nothing Dramatic.
The closing Well Spent proved just as sharp and ambitious, familiar and openly new threads of imagination woven into another seriously infectious snare of sound unafraid to reveal calmer melodic caresses within a landscape of enticing drama and angular temptation. It is a great and striking end to a similarly impressive release which only left us wanting to hear more.
Tirade themselves admit the likes of Lower Than Atlantis and Don Broco provided an inspirational seed to Nothing Dramatic and definitely there are strong hues of both to its rousing holler yet again the band’s sound has an even stronger voice of individuality which if still not in full roar is heading the right way as suggested in their definitely and highly recommended encounter.
Nothing Dramatic is released August 30th.
https://www.facebook.com/TIRADEbanduk/ https://twitter.com/tiradeband
Pete RingMaster 30/08/2019
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
Too Dead To Dance sets the EP off and alone convinced there was something special going in within ears, its declaration subsequently echoed across its companions. The outstanding opener instantly had its hooks under the skin as the rich clean vocals of guitarist Caleb Freihaut align with the rapier swings of drummer Kai. The guitars of Jake Morgan and Nathan Simpson add to the emerging theatre with the waiting throat scathing roars of fellow vocalist Jarett Clark poised to erupt upon the already alluring mix. With every passing second the track simply escalated its captivation, the grumbling swing of Patrick Reuben’s bass adding further threat within the melodic enterprise embracing Freihaut‘s expressive dexterity.
It is a great start to the release driven by the rhythmic powerhouse of drummer Frazer Parker and bassist Pete Cook; their muscle complemented by craft as echoed within next up Epitaph. Similarly the prowess of Allison’s delivery and tones are a potent essence in the track’s adventurous stroll, the guitars of Jamie Parker and Lewis Wheeler writhing and creating around all with sonic and melodic dexterity. As all tracks; it too is an offering which revels in its mix of metallic and melodic strains which teases of others yet never shares anything less than individuality.
The first of two EPs which together unveil an elaborate story with themes looking at “dystopia, a dictatorship, and the use of technology for a chance at a better world…but at what cost?” the swiftly fascinating Lucian opens up with the single Silence the Crows. Immediately a guitar cast wire entangles ears, winding around their flesh with intimation and dexterity as rhythms gather their bait and in turn the quickly captivating vocal blend of guitarist Rhys Evans and the supporting tones of bassist Sam Green and drummer Max Hill steps forward. There is a flirtatious touch and lure to the song from its first breath but equally a snarl in its melodic almost deceitful smile, an edge which is as much threat as it is sonic enterprise as Evans guitar reveals greater flavouring and invention by the passage.
The increasingly magnetic and impressive start is easily continued by the album’s title track. It too springs from a seductive sonic lure if one which lances the senses rather than caresses them. The emerging web of guitars ensnared ears with swiftly nagging and devious intent; a strength of coercion matched in voice and rhythm. There is a touch of Mudvayne to the track at times which does it no harm or indeed the atmospheric winds which bring haunting melodies amid seemingly calm but dark aural intimation.
Through the equally tense Bareknuckle Lover, the mercurial attack of the track as alluring as it is resourceful, and the lively emotive roar of For Kingdom For Glory, Chasing Dragons continue to add fresh adventure to their release. The second of the two in some ways promises more than it delivers, certain inventive moments not exploited as much as personal tastes wished yet is still a gripping snare of sound.
Bring Out Your Dead opens up with new single I Collide. Instantly voice and guitar link up in a rich melodic lure as darker rhythms keenly prowl. It is a warm enticement though swiftly showing its volatile nature as irritability surfaces through djent natured trespasses and rawer throated vocals. Similarly there is an increase of fire to the melodic enterprise as the pair creates a cauldron of contrasts and emotive intimation in the music alone, Whitmore’s ever alluring vocals sharing that internal conflict within the exploration of the external one perpetually working away through our lives.