All At Sea - Divided [EP]

Northern Youngsters Release A Fresh, Groove Filled, Debut

All At Sea are just one of many hardcore based bands, emerging from the UK and Europe, making a lot of noise in the underground scene. Whilst a lot of these young bands offer a similar amount of aggression, noise and energy, most sound very much alike and, in some cases, very one dimensional. All At Sea definitely tick those three boxes, if not raising the bar whilst doing so. 

The Newcastle based quintet deliver this heavy, ruthless hardcore with serious groove metal influences.This EP never gives up or goes easy, opening track 'From The Ground' instantly shows off everything All At Sea are about, the guitars constantly driving out dirty, groovy ass riffs that never stop throughout this EP, and like every track on this album, All At Sea deploy these unique yet monstrous breakdowns that are smoothly executed. These instrumentals are supported amazingly by the vocals of Jack Tyreman who, if I had to draw any comparisons, sounds like an awesome blend of Paul Williams [Desolated] and Randy Blythe [Lamb of God].

I finished this 5-track EP desperately wanting more. You really have to check out this band to hear the potential they have, could easily see these guys rising out of the underground scene very quickly.

8/10

HARDCORE / GROOVE METAL

FAV TRACKS: - From The Ground -
LEAST FAV TRACKS:

Parkway Drive - Ire

Aussie Rockers Aim High But Fall Short

Since their formation in 2003, Byron Bay's Parkway Drive have proved themselves to be absolute behemoths in the metalcore genre. Breaking into the Australian mainstream with their second record, 2007's 'Horizons' and their 2010 full-length 'Deep Blue' saw them chart in the USA, UK and many European countries. Parkway's music has always been easily identified for it's breakdown heavy songs and usually aggressive and conceptual lyrics.

With 'Ire' Parkway Drive have attempted to expand on and even move away from their metalcore style, opting for a more heavy metal influenced sound. This was immediately established back in August when they released lead single 'Vice Grip' a track which is very groove-heavy and features instrumentals and backing vocals that sound like they were picked straight out of the 80's, unfortunately the track just repeats itself over and over and when it sounds like the track is building up to something epic, it just falls horrifically flat. There is a theme on this album of tracks that have potential to hit harder than they really do, opening track 'Destroyer' particularly falls victim to this as it slowly builds from the start to a grand and heavy opening, but never fully takes off.

If there is one redeeming factor on this album, it is definitely Winston McCall's vocals. The lyrics are as sharp and aggressive as ever and the heavy poetry is delivered with such strength and sincerity by McCall, who sounds more inspired than ever, you need to hear 'Dying To Believe' to hear the sheer class of his voice right now.

'Ire' is an album that has been released with high expectations from both the band themselves as well as the fans and media. Long time fans may be disappointed by this shift of sound and weak delivery of new influences, if there is any homage to their old sound, it's 'Dedicated' which is without a doubt the heaviest track on this album. An album which overall is lyrically and vocally impressive, but is let down by boring song structure and a repetitive nature.

4/10

HEAVY METAL / METALCORE / MELODIC METALCORE

FAV TRACKS: Dying To Believe

LEAST FAV TRACKS: Vice Grip 

The Front Bottoms - Back On Top

New Jersey's Resident Indie Band Make Major Label Debut

To many fans, The Front Bottoms have always been a charming, simple and quirky indie/emo duo, a lot of their songs are praised for their repeatable lyrics and their ability to write such well-loved songs whilst sticking to a low-budget production and minimal musical quality. The Front Bottoms have always stuck to this which has left some fans happy that they've stayed true to their ways, but some fans wanting to hear more.

'Back On Top' sees The Front Bottoms major label debut, something that has got many fans worried, a lot of fans hoping that they wouldn't change from their depressing yet witty lyrics, simple yet effective instrumentals and simply produced music that's been the staple of their charming sound. Even though there are tracks on here that do seem to overproduced, 'HELP' shows a side of The Front Bottoms that a lot of fans, including me, don't want to hear again. Sella's voice sounds glitchy and the rather bland lyrics are repeated over and over for most of the track, making 'HELP' without a doubt the weakest track on the album. Sella does seem to fall flat on a few tracks on this album, whether it's production letting him down (HELP) or just generally boring, 'Laugh till I Cry' has a catchy enough chorus but is let down by the boring and forgettable verses.

Negatives aside, The Front Bottoms have managed to once again pull me in and engage me in such a charming and relate-able way. I'm totally stumped on which track is my favorite between 'Summer Shandy' a very weezer-like track with the fun, repeated lyrics and happy mid-tempo charm. Or 'West Virginia' a very melancholic and angsty track delivered in true front bottoms style with the simple yet effective guitars and sing-a-long friendly lyrics.

Even though this record does seem to fall short with the lame lyrics and slight over-production, The Front Bottoms still manage to connect with their audience in a way that very few bands in the genre seem to be able to do. And the duo still manage to come across as the small band that we fell in love with back in the day no matter what label they happen to be under.

6/10

INDIE ROCK / EMO / FOLK PUNK / POP PUNK

FAV TRACKS: West Virginia - Summer Shandy
LEAST FAV TRACKS: HELP