Currently in the midst of a tour across Russia, Irish metallic hardcore quartet Bailer recently unleashed their new creative tirade in the shape of a self-titled EP. The five track fury is a brash and uncompromising slab of rapacious hardcore; the kind of trespass in sound and emotion the band has already drawn thick plaudits for yet everything about it is richer, bolder, and creatively more mature than their previous successes.
We got hooked on the Bailer trespass back with the Shaped By The Landscape EP of 2016, the PTSD EP a year later only cementing their lure on personal tastes. It has to be said though they were just appetisers to the thick goodness of the band’s latest offering. Whether the band’s sound has come of age time will tell but certainly it has breached a new plateau as Bailer continue to prove themselves one of the most exciting and imaginative prospects within the hardcore scene.
Lying For A Living sets things off, its initial scene setting interrupted by the vocal blast of Alex O’Leary amidst a concussive surge of sound. Featuring guest vocals of Xander Coughlan from Emigra, the track invades with an infectious swing and irritable attitude, the creative clamour of Chris Harte’s guitar uniting with the cantankerous throat of David Cleere’s bass and the vicious swings of drummer Sean Conway. It is a gripping affair, imaginative twists adding to the adventure with craft and composure rather than force and only escalating the temptation.
Tuesday Blues follows, the track also leaping head first upon the senses as guitar and rhythms crowd the hostile attack of the vocals. The heavy snarl of bass is simply irresistible, its enmity as catchy as it is imposing and matched by the song overall as sonic endeavour and emotive discontent collude with a headstrong but composed intent. As within those around it, every second brings intrigue and drama, both aspects embroiled in ferocity and adventure.
That imagination again fuels the feral exploits of Long Gone, a song from its first moments almost dancing in ears with invention and unpredictability within the familiar Bailer insurgency. With Adam Carroll from Zoax guesting, the song flirts and captivates with striking enterprise which never seems to settle in the moment but is always looking for a new twist to explore. As carnal as it is captivating, the track infests the psyche before Feel It More brings its capricious but skilfully nurtured antics to bear upon the senses. There is an almost progressive wind to the Bailer sound which especially teases and flirts with the imagination here as ears are accosted and the senses chewed.
Closing track is Death Is A Reminder, a rousing slice of rock ‘n’ roll which has the body bouncing from its first breath as rhythms entice as senses cower from its predatory character. With another guest in the shape of Red Enemy’s Kevin ‘Lefty’ Letford, the track prowls and subsequently trespasses with sonic volatility, its mercurial nature voracious but with a seriously infectious intent.
The new Bailer EP is one of the year’s early treats; a triumph from a band which just grows from bold exploits to greater adventure by the release and will surely be one of those guiding the hardcore scene over coming years.
The Bailer EP is out now @ https://bailerofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bailerofficial
Pete RingMaster 20/02/2018
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
Wires gets things off and running, its opening a worldly bred flavouring infused with samples and a brewing turbulence which soon drives the heart of the raw fury and enticing sonic tempting gripping the track. In no time the guitar of Joe Soar builds a web of engaging grooves and sonic enterprise, they a less hostile tempering to the heavy growling vocal antagonism of Sean Kelly and the hefty swipes of drummer Harry Fielder. The main body of the track is potent and persuasive if without springing any surprises but it is the twists of sound and imagination, at times only in slithers, which turn a good track into a keenly appetising one.