City Of Ashes – Rise

Making a big impression with their well-received debut album back in 2013, UK alternative rock band City Of Ashes now release its successor Rise; an encounter easy to imagine finding an equal if not bigger success. Consisting of eleven heart bred and melodically provocative tracks, the album confirms and pushes on the promise of predecessor All We Left Behind. In some ways, the band’s sound has not made any major leaps from the last album, or the EP before it, yet there is an open new maturity to songwriting and the bolder emotive imagination involved which alone grabs attention.

Since forming in 2009 and releasing the Then There Was A Hand In The Darkness EP, with All We Left Behind swiftly following, City Of Ashes has played all across the UK, sharing stages with the likes of Skindred, Exit Ten, Polar, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Fei Comodo, Hildamay, and Young Guns along the way. Subsequent performances on their tour with Trapt only enhanced a reputation already ripe through their first album. Now it is the self-released Rise about to lure fresh attention the way of the Eastbourne quartet; an aim, as suggested earlier, easy to see succeeding to some potent degree.

Uprising is first up and swiftly lays an evocative melodic caress on ears as darker hues bring just as alluring shadows. The impressive vocals of Orion Powell quickly add their prowess backed by great band harmonies. The track is only a brief lure into the album but an attention grabbing one setting up the appetite for the following Vipers Nest. A sonic web of hooks and riffs descend on the senses first as the firm beats of Dan Russell make a thick impact with the brooding bass line of Dan Frederick in close attention. Soon bound in the melodic enterprise of James Macdonald and coloured by the expressive tones of Powell, the song easily catches the imagination with a touch of Placebo meets Manic Street Preachers to its broader alternative rock character.

Both Battles Of My Youth and Walk Away keep the strong start going; the first with its anthemic roar and intimate tone amidst vocal and melodic suggestiveness whilst the second shares even more intensive angst in its melancholic cry. Again Powell impresses; the drama of his delivery an emotive flame within the more subdued but no less enticing rhythms and the creative adventure of Macdonald’s fingers on strings.

A delicious brooding bassline and core riff marks out Bittersweet next, that and a climatic feel to its emotional and sonic intensity, whilst Save Me carries a lively simmer to its bubbly melodies and crisp beats to equally grip ears and appetite. Whether there are any major surprises within the songs and indeed album can be argued, but each offering has something fresh and imaginative to its character and invention which draws attention easily as here or greedily as by the outstanding Iliad. Unstoppably emerging the album’s favourite track, it is a haunted and darkly lit proposal with a slow prowl as portentous as it is inviting. Matching his surroundings, Powell’s voice also ebbs and flows in raw emotion as rhythms and riffs border on stalking the senses. Provocative theatre in the ears, the song simply steals the show.

Bloodlust has a similarly hued nature to its canvas but a far lighter and vivacious air to its emotive outpouring and subsequent fiery expulsions whilst Sometimes provides a croon fuelled by apprehensive words and emotions cradled in orchestral like melodic sensitivity. Both songs keep enjoyment high before Confessions raises the album’s game again with its earnest roar.

Closing with the sober but potent sharing of the heart that is We Own The Night, band and album leaves pleasure a strong reaction to its imaginative and tenacious endeavours. Rise is a strong continuation of the band’s previous releases, if not a dramatic leap forward. As suggested earlier though, it is a more rounded and mature adventure embracing all the already recognised City Of Ashes qualities and more; and their most impressive outing yet.

Rise is out now @ http://cityofashes.bigcartel.com/

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Pete RingMaster 25/03/2016

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City Of Ashes – All We Left Behind

Alternative rock band City Of Ashes started off the year in fine style with their debut EP, a release rich in promise and accomplished craft to suggest the UK band as a bright emerging spark in British rock. Now the Sussex quartet are seeing out the other end of 2013 with an equally attention grabbing release in first album All We Left Behind. Consisting of twelve vibrantly emotive and melodically potent tracks, the release is a continuation of the introduction made through the Then There Was A Hand In The Darkness EP. It may be a small expansion of the impressive starter but makes a firm confirmation of the band’s strengths whilst providing an engaging presence.

Formed in 2009, the Eastbourne band took little time in honing their sound and taking it to stages across the South East and subsequently the country. Simultaneously their fanbase rose as the band shared stages with bands such as Skindred, Exit Ten, Polar, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Fei Comodo, Hildamay, Young Guns and many more. The Then There Was A Hand In The Darkness EP brought Orion Powell (vocals), James Macdonald (guitar), Dan Frederick (bass), and Dan Russell (drums) into sharper focus within a brewing awareness of their expressively impacting sounds as paraded on the release and you can only suspect that the returning Matt O’Grady (Deaf Havana, You Me At Six, Don Broco) produced album will reinforce and push further that recognition.

It is fair to say that All We Left Behind has not made a major leap on from its impressive predecessor but certainly shows that the band has a range of songwriting depths and songs which have a wide high quality base to spring from. From the short intro instrumental Initia, the album flows into the dramatic Ode To Innocence. Guitars coax the ears in sonic angst from the start whilst the compelling bass line seeds strong intrigue into the emotive narrative of the song musically and vocally. There is a Placebo edge to the sound and voice of Powell, as well as a feel of Mind Museum and Funeral For A Friend which adds spice to the strong voice and design of the song. It is a smouldering enticement with fiery bursts of passion which only accentuates its persuasion and makes a deeply satisfying start.

Next up Falling Star takes things up another level, the guitar coaxing which starts things off immediately riveting and soon given extra potency as persistent beats and the continually engaging vocals of Powell join the tempting. The first stretch of the song reminds of Waiting For The Weekend by The Vapors but soon finds its distinct character as the guitars expands their melodic arms and intensity unveils its weight and emotion. The song never explodes into dramatic action but offers a persistent almost nagging declaration which is very easy to devour and want more of.

Both Recovery and In Retrospect present a lingering enticement, the first a gently building slice of hard/alternative rock with a slight Manic Street Preachers essence to its evocative flavouring and the second a reserved stroll of provocative melodic textures and emotional bait. Neither matches the opening pair of songs but still continues the album’s weighty call upon thoughts and appetite whilst The Highest Point Of Living provides a tender ballad of fine vocals and chilled guitar suasion which from a decent start grows bigger and more impressive, especially through melancholic strings and the excellent tones of Powell, alongside band harmonies. It is a song which inspires tingles in its latter climactic parts and leaves the senses and emotions ignited in appreciation and pleasure. The song seeps into next up Brand New World where the band creates another healthy slice of alternative rock with a melodic pop glaze. It does not set fires in the passions but still adds to the flavoursome richness flowing through the release.

Across the likes of Decay and Dorian Gray, City Of Ashes keeps attention firmly locked in their direction even if the album has lost some of the potency found in its first half, the skill of the band and the craft of songs an attractive constant. Alongside those though the rhythmic tantalising of Masks and Waves, with its dark prowling shadows provided by the bass a conflicting yet complimenting union with the sonic breeze and melodic stream of invention, bring All We Left Behind to a formidable closure. The album leaves a strong taste for City Of Ashes and their inventive sound even if maybe it does not have that spark or ingredient yet to send the passions into full ardour. The feeling that this trigger is waiting within the band’s horizons is impossible to dismiss and something to add spice to the suspected rise of one very promising band.

www.facebook.com/cityofashesband

7/10

RingMaster 11/11/2013

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CITY OF ASHES to release debut album’All We Left Behind’, Mon 11th November‏

Emerging energetic South East alt-rockers ‘City Of Ashes’ are poised to stake their claim as one of the exciting new breed of bands to break through this year. They are loaded up with their blistering debut album ‘All We Left Behind’, out Monday 11th November, and it’s ram-packed with killer tracks, and sure to set the rising foursome apart from the masses.

“…this is polished, emotional work. Frontman Orion Powell pours his heart out throughout….” Rocksound Magazine.

Sparking glowing comparisons to ‘Thursday’ and rising UK stars ‘Don Broco’, City Of Ashes bond together a crafty tunesmith approach with a sincere and emotive delivery.

Born in 2009 and hailing from Eastbourne, Sussex, COA feature Orion Powell (vocals), James Macdonald (guitar), Dan Frederick (bass) and Dan Russell (drums). The tireless quartet went about the business of perfecting their sound quickly, spending their early years cutting their teeth playing a host of shows throughout the country. The youthful upstarts amassed a dedicated following and managed to share stages with a host of rising bands from Exit Ten, Polar, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Fei Comodo, Hildamay and Young Guns, to Yashin, Skindred, Fearless Vampire Killers, Attica Rage and The Dead Lay Waiting.

Besides having a hearty appetite for touring, the band also have a dedication to recording, and enlisted respected producer Matt O’Grady (Deaf Havana, You Me At Six, Don Broco) to work on their debut EP ‘Then There Was A Hand In The Darkness’. The record further solidified the band’s growing fan-base and garnered positive acclaim from Rocksound Magazine, as well as racking up an array of glowing online reviews.

City Of Ashes have now raised the bar with their debut album ‘All We Left Behind’ which is unleashed this Autumn. The broody instrumental ‘Initia’ starts the record before the punchy riff assault of ‘Ode To Innocence’ lays down the band’s intriguing manifesto of layered guitar lines and alluring hooks. Their previous single, ‘Falling Star’, continues to ignite with its colossal refrain, and the current single, ‘In Retrospect’, perfectly highlights the quartet’s nimble aptitude for despatching a killer single with its soaring melody and luscious guitar passages. ‘Brand New World’ nods its head in the direction of Taking Back Sunday with vocalist Orion Powell laying his soul bare to devastating effect. ‘Dorian Gray’ moves the album along swiftly with stomping beat blasts and visceral riffery, and then ‘Waves’ further demonstrates the band’s song-writing guile and ability to unleash an epic anthemic chorus, as it brings the album to a close.

The alternative tunesmiths hit the road this summer and have extensive touring planned for the remainder of the year; track the band’s movements atwww.facebook.com/cityofashesband

CITY OF ASHES RELEASE ‘ALL WE LEFT BEHIND’ ON MONDAY 11th NOVEMBER

City Of Ashes: Then There Was A Hand In the Darkness EP

 

       Slowly burning like a smouldering wick in the passions, the debut EP from UK alternative rock band City Of Ashes ensures its ultimate persuasion is a full and lingering declaration through a melodic breath and enterprise which will not be denied. Offering a breath to their sound which can ignite the senses with either a soft indie caress or a post hardcore quall, the quartet from Eastbourne, Sussex have taken their first bow with a record which ripples with strong promise and marks the band immediately as one to watch, and enjoy, very closely.

Formed in 2009, City Of Ashes delivers a sound which though not one to open new avenues for their area of rock music it certainly offers an imagination and accomplished skill alongside thoughtful songwriting which flames like a torch against many of the other emerging alternative rock toned bands. Comparisons to the likes of Thursday and Lostprophets have been cast upon the band with the former of the two references certainly an open influence one feels when emerged within the stirring tracks on the Then There Was A Hand In the Darkness EP. Since its beginnings the band has honed its sound and earned a deserved recognition for their hard working and impressive live performances and ethic as well as a formidable underground following. The past years have seen the band light up stages alongside bands such as Skindred, Yashin, Young Guns, Exit Ten, Polar, Fei Comodo, and Hildamay to name just a few whilst enduring line-up changes and other obstacles. Produced by Matt O’Grady (You Me At Six, Deaf Havana, Don Broco, Your Demise), Then There Was A Hand In The Darkness is the first nationwide statement from vocalist Orion Powell, guitarist James Macdonald, bassist Dan Frederick, and drummer Dan Russell and one which it is hard to imagine falling on deaf ears.

The release opens with the compelling Falling Star its initial guitar rub and vocal stroking from Powell an immediate lure to the ear and attention. Soon the vocals hit full range with fine accompaniment from others in the band whilst the melodic gait of the song erupts into a passionate roar to match the great vocals. At times the song reminds of eighties band The Vapors when the Guilford quartet moved away from their oriental doodling, whilst throughout there is an earnest and expansive atmosphere and energy pulling the emotions to merge with those of the song. The rhythms are sinews which enthral without defusing the potency of the heart of the song and all in all, the track is impressive as an opener and stand-alone track from the band.

It is also quite infectious as is its successor Beggars & Thieves. It is a feistier track than its predecessor offering a view of the band with their post hardcore gait at play. The bass of Frederick is a riveting prowl alongside the again firm beats of Russell whilst Macdonald blazes with sonic enterprise behind his shards of melodic coaxing, both acidic and warming. Once more the vocals are an expressive highlight and at this point it is a given Powell will wring the heart of a song of all its passion and pass it over impressively to the listener. The track does not unveil obvious hooks to capture its recipient but uses subtler yet no less contagious weaves which feel familiar but new.

The Highest Point Of Living and Hourglass bring another  diversity to the release, the first an emotive ballad whispering which wraps tender but heavy hearted arms around the ear with great surety. The song is an impassioned fever exploring and showing off the immense tones of Powell supported by the warm gentle yet passional sounds of the band whilst the second of the pair is a tower of shifting intensity and power which is bristling with creative intriguing and inventive accomplishment.

The release saves the very best to last with the thumping A Calm Like Lethargy, a track which fully shows the adventure and depth of inventive opportunities within the band and their open creative intent. Again merging a muscular aggression with fine dazzling melodic ingenuity, the song is a magnetic and irresistible confrontation with intimidating riffs and mesmeric sonic brilliance scoring the eloquent and assertive vocals.

It is a mighty close to an EP in Then There Was A Hand In The Darkness, which ignites all the right thoughts and reactions inside. It might not top best of lists in the long term but easily sets City of Ashes as a band which deserves proper attention especially from fans of the likes of Thursday, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Fei Comodo.

www.facebook.com/cityofashesband

RingMaster 21/01/2013

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

 

Wolves: Cycles EP

If you were fortunate to have been assaulted by previous EP Alpha Beta Omega from UK band Wolves, then steel yourself or run for cover as they unleash the destruction that is new EP Cycles. Whereas before they tested and brought down the senses with an aggression borne of their namesakes this times Wolves go on to gnaw and corrupt the carcass with even greater and imaginative violent eagerness.

The quartet from North Wales are no strangers to acclaim, their appearances during their still relatively short life alongside the likes of The Blackout, William Control, Fei Comodo, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Polar, Evita and Blitz Kids let alone their previous release bringing strong and positive responses their way. Wolves are a band you do not forget in a hurry or want to. They do not make it an easy experience at times to share their company but always it is a fully intriguing and ultimately rewarding one. Releasing the Alpha Beta Omega EP in February the band took no time in writing and working on its successor Cycles. With four songs in the words of drummer Tom Williams which are ‘…based on the concept of human issues and struggles’, the band entered Orange Sound Studios in Penmaenmawr at the end of May to record in just two days the EP in its entirety. That drive is openly found on not only this release but the previous one too, the band determined yet controlled in forging their intent whether in ideas, sound, or its realisation for us.

The track Divide opens up the fury and is instantly a wonderful collision of crushing riffs, antagonistic rhythms, and vocals steeped in an even deeper well of venom, spite, and angst than seen before from the band. The song has a sheer hardcore punk attack which offers something different straight away from the band, the song rampaging like an aural rioter fuelled by rage and despair upon the senses. The track in mid torrent suddenly moves into a crawl of thick emotive energy which not quite doom or sludge sounds offers some of their tendencies before once more returning a storm of intensity through the ear. Ad Robinson is as uncompromising as ever but with the added diversity to his vocal attack through the unexpected aside brings something as agreeable and inventive as the coarse assault around him.

As second song Courage Breaker draws up on an excellent heavy steeled bassline from Ben Peers one is drawn like a magnet headlong into the following gale of corrupting riffs and electrified gashes of sound from guitarist Dan Hallows. It is glorious and leaves one breathless within moments allowing the song to permeate every atom with its rape of withering sonic manipulations and relentlessly jabbing beats. By this point one realises the band has sent the melodic side of their sound to its room like a naughty school boy. It is there toning the atmosphere of the songs but in a more inspiring than direct way, the tracks almost bruising the still defined emotive and evocative side of their music into realisation. It is an outstanding new approach and shows that whether their sound works for you or not, Wolves is extremely adept in their songwriting and for a band so young that only inspires greater anticipation for where they can evolve to.

Third song has the very apt title of Linger, its crawling venom and intense black breath remaining within past the song departure. Opening on a pulsating bassline accompanied at times by drums coming to the boil it is a haunting and ominous beginning. As the near desperate vocals of Robinson scour the ears with unbridled passion in a corruptive and clean delivery, the song winds its way through the ear igniting thoughts and feelings before its emotional collapse and heart given nightmare. A song to challenge deeper than ever and one to reawaken shadows within each and every individual it is a masterful violation and malignant intrusion which rewards more and more with each play.

Cycles ends on the equally senses staggering Dead Weight, its initial serpentine stalking a scarring and dehabilitating pleasure which explodes into another punk outrage of violence given birth from the blackest resentment and energy. The evolving air to the song is again like Linger, fully immersive, venomous and just as irresistibly dangerous to sanity.

As much as the last EP left only acclaim on the breath Cycles almost makes it look lightweight in quality and power, it is that good. Wolves are still a secret to most but surely now the country will awake to their monstrous quality.

Cycles is released July 9^th and will be available for free on http://wolvesuk.bandcamp.com

http://www.facebook.com/wolvesuk

RingMaster 06/07/2012

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Interview with Tom Williams and Ben Peers of Wolves

In what has been an impressive wave of young extreme metal bands emerging recently one has stood out over most others. Welsh band Wolves since forming two years ago have lit up stages supporting some notable names as well as announcing themselves to a wider audience with an impressive two track release  and their excellent brand new EP Alpha Beta Omega. Wanting to know more about the band we had the pleasure of having drummer Tom Williams aided by bassist/vocalist Ben Peers answer some questions about Wolves and their new EP.

Hi Guys many thanks for talking to us.

Firstly can you tell our readers about Wolves and its members?

Wolves are Ad Robinson (vocals), Ben Peers (bass, vocals), Dan Hallows (guitar) and Tom Williams (drums)

How and when did the band begin?

Tom: I met the guys at the end of 2009 through knowing the same people, but really we got the ball rolling last year.

Is Wolves your first band or is there a musical history for you before this?

Tom: We’d all been in local bands before, but nothing that had really taken off. Wolves is pretty much the first thing any of us have done that’s actually moved from just playing at home to our mates

Coming from North Wales there is a strong pedigree before you to contend with, is this as much a negative as a positive with people making assumptions about you and your sound before hearing you?

Tom: There’s tons of great music around here, but it doesn’t really feel like we’re contending with anyone. We tend to get on with most bands we play with actually. I’m not sure what people assume before they see us, but we’ve had such a positive reaction away from home.

You sit in the post hardcore camp musically but have a definite depth and power plus an invention that leaves you spanning other genres too, what are the influences that have made the most impact on your music?

Tom: We all have different tastes, so I think there’s probably the old cliché of a “melting pot” of influences. I’m still not really sure if we’re “post-hardcore”, to be honest. We do love bands like Alexisonfire, Underoath and Thrice though. They’ve definitely worked their way into our sound.

There has been an abundance of similar veined bands appearing in the UK over the past 12 months or so, what is it in your music that makes you stand out do you believe over most others?

Tom: I think we’re probably the least equipped to answer that, haha! I’d like to think we keep enough distance from trends; there are quite a few standards which I think we don’t really fit in. Our aim is still the same though – we just want to write noisy emotive music.

You have just released your excellent Alpha Beta Omega EP; a release we said was not an easy ride for the senses and emotions but a deeply rewarding and satisfying violation at the same time. What is the initial thought when writing a song, to annihilate and make us suffer or to leave us whimpering down on our knees haha?

Tom: Thanks for your support! The aim, really, is to make ears bleed. We want to be responsible for more A+E visits. The NHS hates us.

Seriously though what fuels your songwriting initially?

There isn’t really an initial thought or plan, everything just comes together as we jam. The only preparation we make is coming up with a loose theme or concept. That normally leads to the songs being able to connect better, so hopefully it stands as a body of work.

How does the songwriting work within the band generally?

Tom: We’re very collaborative. Nobody really comes in with any ideas ready or preconceptions; we just play, and things develop from there.

Your formidable lyrics are on the whole angry, combative and provocative, what is the main spark and inspiration for them.

Tom: I think people mistake us sometimes for being political; we’re really not. We’re just trying to write about human struggles, things we’re going through as well as things we’re engaged in on a larger scale. There’s definitely some fury directed, but it’s still kinda vague.

You have shared stages with the likes of The Blackout, William Control, Fei Comodo, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Polar, Evita and Blitz Kids since forming. What has been the highlight gig wise so far and how much does watching other bands like this impact on your stage and song craft?

Tom: For me it’s playing at venues like The Roadhouse in Manchester and The Sugarmill in Stoke, to appreciative audiences. I always see watching other bands as a bonus. We’ve made some amazing friends and been massively inspired along the way.

Any shows that have not gone to plan for you i.e. disasters haha, as these can equally benefits a band in so many ways in the future.

Tom: They happen now and then. No matter how much you prepare, when things go wrong, you’re never ready. Some of our most chaotic gigs have been the messy ones though, so it’s not always a bad thing…

Ben: For me it was the last show at Retro Bar. My bass cut out continuously and by the time we got half way through the set I gave up completely, picked up a mic and screamed my lungs out along with Ad for the remainder.

Tom: It was actually really cool

Back to the EP, is there a moment on it that gives you the biggest pride or glow?

Tom: I can’t even listen to it. I really hope people like it, and I’m happy with the response, but I struggle being enthusiastic about it. The other guys are much better at that. It’s not that I don’t like it; I just think it’s difficult to have a decent perspective on something you’ve been so involved in.

Alpha Beta Omega is the follow-up to Adrienne–Lynn / Tongue Tied of last year and both releases bring your live power and intensity to the fore. How have you managed to do that so successfully where other bands seem to lose that quality?

Tom: I’m still not really convinced we have, to be honest. That’s always the goal though.

On the new EP the vocals of Ad are a wonderfully mighty growling and at times gruelling venomous attack on the senses which is a perfect companion to your sounds but on the song Collapse you add clean vocals too, is this aspect one you are looking at bringing in more often in the future?

Tom: I don’t think so. If there’s a place for it then we’ll definitely add it in, but we wouldn’t make a conscious decision to include more. So we may as well wave goodbye to radio.

On a great many similar genre releases the aggression and intensity over powers the individual  spice and skill of band members coming through but Alpha Beta Omega is openly generous and effective in that department. Who is behind the mix and production side of the release and how much input as a band did you have in the final sound?

Tom: Thank you. A guy called Gavin Brady recorded and mixed it for us. We had a say on the sound – there were lots of things he would’ve preferred to do differently, I think. But, to be fair, he followed everything we asked. Can’t ask for more than that.

What is next in the planned domination of the UK by Wolves?

Tom: We’re going to become MPs. Failing that, we’ll start the next riot.

Really though, we’re working on our second EP at the minute, then we’ll be back playing as many shows as possible again.

Thanks so much for sharing time to answer our questions and good luck with the EP.

Would you like to end with some words for your fans and all of those sure to become such after listening to Alpha Beta Omega?

Tom: Thanks for listening, we really appreciate it and hope you get something out of it.

And finally give us a song or band that you have a keenness for which one would not expect from listening to you music.

Tom: We’re all massive Celine Dion fans.

Ben: Imogen Heap. No joke…

 

Read the  Alpha Beta Omega EP review @ https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/wolves-alpha-beta-omega/

The RingMaster Review 06/04/2012

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Wolves: Alpha Beta Omega

The new EP from UK post hardcore band Wolves smacks one right between the eyes with a devilment and aggression that is to be admired if not feared. They hold nothing back in their determination to leave senses buckling and gasping for life beneath their intensive testing and blistering aural manipulations. Alpha Beta Omega is no easy ride, it gives or shows no mercy in its thunderous violation but stand tall before its might and look within the coarse intensity and the rewards are very satisfying.

Formed in 2010, the quartet from North Wales have shared stages with the likes of The Blackout, William Control, Fei Comodo, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Polar, Evita and Blitz Kids, impressing along the way with their far reaching intrusive sounds. So far our words give the impression it is all destructive intent but within their obliterating creations the band infuse some equally stirring acidic melodic invention, catchy grooves, and thoughtful composing that lies beneath the initial thunderous assault on the ear eagerly waiting to be discovered. Alpha Beta Omega is the follow-up to the 2011 two track release Adrienne–Lynn / Tongue Tied and with the luck all bands need could and should see Wolves becoming the name of the lips of a great many more.

The band are sneaky little tykes, the opening instrumental We Are The 99 % mesmerising the ear with nicely crafted emotive melodies and a subdued power that even with its building crescendo leaves one unprepared for the full onslaught of the following Buried. The song throws clawed riffs at the ear scarring flesh as the rhythms of drummer Tom Williams penetrate around them. The coarse shouts and growls of Ad Robinson fly with venom and great effect adding to the uncomfortable yet compelling consumption. The bass of Ben Peers comes at the listener with meaty paws swiping out with muscular pummelling riffs and belligerence. At its close a quick breath is grabbed before the EP continues the corruption.

Feral dominates just as fully as its predecessor, its tight cutting groove flipping the bird as it twists and stretches its prey with glee. Slowing to a stalking pace the song is as predatory as the band name and soon leaps upon its victim with further high energy and finely crafted unrelenting sounds.

Surviving that leaves one feeling bolder but the best song on the release soon leaves you in no doubt who is in charge. The title track is immense, from its ravenous bass riffs which rub the senses up the wrong way through to the guitars of Dan Hallows and their scorched provocative grooves and acidic melodies which leap like salt onto the open wounds, the song is majestic. The bass is the highlight, a malignant foe for the ear but everything clicks perfectly on the song and it is worth investigation of the release on its own.

When Money Speaks, The Truth Remains Silent offers a formidable challenge for top honours, the song persistently niggling and thrilling. Veering from rampage to simple torrential rage it is a pleasure to fall beneath the maliciously stomping charge of the song.

Alpha Beta Omega closes with Collapse, an emotive part ballad part expulsion of bottled up angst. The song is fine but shows the only less effective part of the release and in a way the band. Robinson is an excellent coarse delivery aggressor and decent semi smooth vocalist but he has yet to find a way to bring a clean vocal that is to the standard of the rest of his and the bands skills. It is a small aspect of what is an excellent release but it is noticeable though one can feel and hear it is something that is being worked on.

Wolves are a band on a quick rise something the impressive Alpha Beta Omega will only accelerate. The time to join the ride is now before there is a queue for the attentions of what could be one of the mightiest post hardcore bands to come out of the UK yet.

http://www.facebook.com/wolvesuk

RingMaster 29/03/2012

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