Immigrants « The RingMaster Review

Drawing on the inspiration of bands like Faith No More, Queens Of The Stone Age, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Barkmarket, UK alternative rockers Immigrants are ready to take a sound already whipping up enthused live reactions, to a wider audience with the release of their self-titled debut. It is not a boundary setter or a new template to ignite the imagination of contagious rock ‘n’ roll, but with ease the EP is a seriously enjoyable and adventurous introduction. Four songs which revel in their familiarity whilst presenting fresh and distinct characters, the release is a striking and rigorously pleasing encounter from a band soaked in potential.

The London based trio of vocalist/guitarist Andrew Cunningham, bassist Michael Sellar, and drummer Daniel Clifford as mentioned has found eager and greedy support of their music live as they extensively hit the London music scene since forming last year. With the band and songs fuelled by “a common anger directed against broad scale social issues such as inequality, war and oppression,” Immigrants’ music is a hard hitting and explosive force upon ears and thoughts as evidenced in their EP, and thoroughly enthralling in its ability to emotionally incite and infectiously seduce.

The EP needs little time to make an impressive persuasion of ears and thoughts, especially with tracks like Masquerade within it. From a sonic breath, a grumbling bassline and scything swipes of guitar swiftly awakens a keen appetite whilst crisp rhythms firmly punctuate the brewing bait. Rather than increasing its lure, the song then switches its attack and relaxes into a just as appetising stroll ready for the entrance of Cunningham’s expressive tones of. Sellar’s bass takes the opportunity at this point to start creatively tantalising and flirting with willing ears to increase the appealing lure of the song, a temptation which only blazes brighter with eruptions of roaring riffs and heavy beats leading into a highly infectious chorus. There is an unpredictable adventure to the song and impassioned energy in its music and vocals which captivates even further, resulting in an enthralling encounter which plays like a mix of I Plead Irony and Mojo Fury.

The track alone ensures the band is worthy of greater investigation but backed forcibly by Damage and its more pop punk revelry. With the tempered snarl of Hagfish and the melodic tenacity of Nirvana flavouring its easily engaging romp and energetic vivacity, the song is like an old friend with a new adventure. It is a great foot-stomper and again contagious gateway into the feverish enterprise of the band and its bullish sound.

The harder toned presence of Don’t Back Down shows another strong side to release and invention of the band, its formidable rhythmic enticing and moody bassline an imposing presence taking thoughts into emotive scenery of melodic reflection and intensive intimidation. There is still a virulent contagiousness to the slower stroll, an engrossing beckoning to its prowling weight and passion of the song. Though not as immediate and lingering as others on the release, it is arguably the most inventive and thickly woven proposition, and no less pleasing.

The gentle caressing melodic canter of Hole In My Heart completes the quartet of offerings, its mix of bluesy sonic endeavour and fiery emotively sculpted vocals and melodies, another rich tapestry to immerse in and keenly devour. Again there is a familiar essence to the song though less definable this time but it only adds to the drama and enjoyment of a rather fine song.

Immigrants’ EP makes a powerful opening bid to awaken attention and passion towards their presence. It suggests this is a band still evolving and finding its unique sound but that it will be an inevitable discovery with even greater results than found on this rather exciting first encounter.

The Immigrants EP is available now, for more details check out https://www.facebook.com/pages/Immigrants/563489277015507

RingMaster 20/10/2014