Bring Me The Horizon - That's The Spirit

Sheffield Rockers Take On A More Electronic-Lead Sound With An Alt Metal Edge

Over the past 10 years, Steel City based quintet, Bring Me The Horizon have transformed from angst filled teens making scrappy deathcore, to the more mature sounding metalcore on their last 2 records. But with their latest release, 'That's The Spirit', the Sheffield group has completely moved away from their old sounds, opting for a more electronic driven, stadium rock sound.

Whilst Bring Me's last two albums were full to the brim of sheer aggression and hard-hitting breakdowns, their new record demonstrates their flawless ability of making huge, stadium anthems, like opening track 'Doomed' which builds from a mellow, synth lead opening into an absolutely massive chorus, lead by Oli Sykes' harsh vocals. 'That's The Spirit' is packed with Linkin Park-Sized choruses that are driven by the fierce and unforgiving guitars, and the atmospheric edge provided by the synths, the only tracks that take a more mellow approach are the R&B sounding 'Follow You' and album closer 'Oh No', which bring some serious Panic! At The Disco vibes with it. 

Bring Me The Horizon still show that even though the metallic sound has been toned down, they still know how to make a brilliant heavy track or two. The verses in lead single 'Happy Song' strongly resemble early Deftones, before building up to a grungy chorus and an ending which features throat shredding vocals from Oli Sykes. 'Throne' shows how perfectly the guitars and synth can gel together, throughout the whole track they flawlessly work off each other, to create a heavy and contrasting sound.

Bring Me The Horizon have managed to once again managed to dilate their style, and with their latest album, have established themselves as a strong sounding anthem churning rock band. Although a lot of fans my miss the breakdown days of 'Suicide Season', the more open minded bunch can appreciate the talented men they've become today. Right now it seems Bring Me The Horizon might just be the biggest rock band in the world.

9/10

ALTERNATIVE ROCK / ELECTRONIC ROCK 

FAV TRACKS: Doomed - Happy Song - Throne - Avalanche
LEAST FAV TRACKS: Oh No

FIDLAR - Too

LA Punk's Show New Found Maturity Within Their Punk Rock Lifestyle

FIDLAR are definitely one of the more interesting bands in the modern punk genre, they've very much solidified themselves as a band who sing about drugs, drinking and fucking up life one step at a time. Their self-titled debut was jam-packed with great, all be it one-dimensional, skate and garage punk anthems, featuring songs with noisy guitars and loud angsty vocals like opener 'Cheap Beer' and main single 'Cocaine', to the more mellow tracks that still stay true to FIDLAR's mantra for example 'Paycheck' or the passive aggressive closing track 'Awkward'. FIDLAR's debut definitely gave the LA boys the attention they deserve, and after an incredible main stage slot at Reading and Leeds 2015 the band have a lot of new fans eager to listen to their latest record.

'Too' shows a very distinctive maturity in FIDLAR's sound, 'West Coast' is a song packing serious summer vibes and pop-punk style lyrics about wanting to leave the typical suburban hell and 'Why Generation' is very much about fitting in today's society, whilst ironically sounding like its been pulled out of 70's California. The band still have plenty of tracks that support their "Fuck it" lifestyle, 'Bad Habits' is one of those that was more of a disappointment, its a track where Zac Carper rants on about all his drug and alcohol problems and what it's doing to him, and for once it's a typical FIDLAR song that, sadly, is quite boring, and the attempt to be funny with the line "Oh My God I'm Becoming My Dad" doesn't redeem anything at all, even if it is the band implying that youth doesn't last forever.

'Sober' is a great example of  how FIDLAR can try out a new style whilst still keeping their personality intact, proving to everyone who knows them that they always succeed in staying original and true to themselves. My favorite track on this album is without a doubt 'Punks' I don't know if this is a homage to their oldest of fans or if they just re-recorded this track for the shits, but somehow they've managed to give this track even more energy, even more fury and even more of that "Fuck It Dog Life's A Risk" attitude than the original 2012 recording 'The Punks Are Finally Taking Acid'.

'Too' definitely shows a huge change from their 2013 debut, the group have matured a lot in that time, and while some of the more mature songs might have turned fans away, it's definitely impressed the vast majority. And while no one can truly say for certain what they'll do next, we all know FIDLAR will be very vocal on whatever it may be.

8/10

GARAGE PUNK / PUNK /POP-PUNK

FAV TRACKS: West Coast - Sober - Punks
LEAST FAV TRACKS: Bad Habits

The Fratellis - Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied

Scottish Trio Take A More Laid Back and Subtle Approach In New Record

Almost 10 years ago now Glaswegian rock band The Fratellis released their debut album 'Costello Music', a classic record full to the brim of indie and garage rock anthems with catchy hooks and instantly memorable lyrics. This was followed in 2008 by 'Here We Stand' a more toned down, yet very similar sounding LP which got the group their second Top 5 album, after a hiatus which saw all members do very different sounding musical projects, the boys returned in 2013 with the more blues influenced 'We Need Medicine', this saw The Fratellis ditch the rock and roll anthems for guitar driven tracks with storytelling lyrics, all while still staying naturally fun to listen to.

And now, two years after the release of 'We Need Medicine', the boys are back with 'Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied', an album which shows off The Fratellis attempt at more guitar driven rock and roll rather than the catchy indie/pop that made them big. The album is full of stomp and clap along tracks, examples include opener 'Me And The Devil', probably the strongest track on the record, it best sums up the new sound of The Fratellis whilst still demonstrating their ability to write catchy lyrics, the other stomp along track is the more forgettable 'Getting Surreal' which is simply 4 minutes of stuff we've heard a million times before.

It's clear the boys are going for a more bluesy, american rock and roll sound with this album. Jon Fratelli projects his voice with just as much twang from his guitar to give off real 50s/60s vibes in most tracks, and whilst it does sound impressive, most of the tracks themselves are rather forgettable, they all follow sound the same generic route. One track that does offer something different is 'Dogtown' a more bass driven track with a grand brass lead chorus, but unfortunately this track is as much of a let down as it is experimental, just like the album itself it builds towards something but always falls flat in the end.

'Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied' is a very laid back, instrumentally charming album which shows The Fratellis playing in their true comfort zone, but even though they might have found their new sound, there is still a way to go for the Scottish trio.

5/10  

BLUES ROCK / ALTERNATIVE ROCK

FAV TRACKS: - Me And The Devil -
LEAST FAV TRACKS: - Dogtown - Getting Surreal -

Don Broco - Automatic

Don Broco's Sophomore Effort May Be Catchy, It Lacks In Everything Else

Don Broco broke into the British mainstream back in 2012 with their début album 'Priorities', they were praised by critics and fans for their catchy, alt rock filled with heavy riffs and well polished instrumentals throughout. Although their début does deserve praise for those reasons, the album was just as generic as other bands in the genre (You Me At Six, Lower Than Atlantis) but also took a lot of influences from mainstream pop, with lyrics that lacked drive delivered soullessly by vocalist Rob Damiami. Negatives aside, this record has helped Don Broco gain a respectable fan base who are all casting an eye on them and their latest album 'Automatic'.

To sum 'Automatic' up simply, it's a horrific step back for a band who were never really going anywhere. Don Broco's latest album is flat, dull, uninspired and alienates a good portion of the bands initial following, almost completely ridding of their guitar driven alt rock, and trading it for synth beats, 80's funk vibes and even a few attempts at arena anthems, all of which fall heavily flat.

All songs feature infectiously catchy choruses, and even though this album is a pretty uninspiring attempt by Don Broco of moving away from their previous sound, the band show promise in their delivery in the more funk-orientated tracks on the album, especially the opening tracks 'Superlove' and 'Automatic' where Damiami's voice perfectly suits the style of music they deliver at the start of this album. What lets these tracks down, alongside all of this album, is the blatant commercialisation and radio-friendly precautions that the group have took, it makes the Bedford group look like they're trying way to hard to change, something many core fans of the group may not approve of.

I feel like the main redeeming factor about this album is Don Broco's determination to not stay as a run-of-the-mill alt rock group with a one dimensional sound. Even though their first attempt here with 'Automatic' is more of a step back than anything else, this can only be a sign of better things to come right?

3/10

/ POP ROCK / FUNK ROCK / R&B /

FAV TRACKS: - Automatic -

LEAST FAV TRACKS: - What You Do To Me - Nerve -  

  

Pissgrave - Suicide Euphoria

Pissgrave Take Death Metal Back To It's Roots With A Raw And Punishing Record

Up and coming death metal band, Pissgrave from Pennsylvania, have been causing a stir in the underground scene for the past year with a string of live shows and supporting slots which built up to the release of their first demo last year, the demo sold out instantly and has helped Pissgrave gain a large underground following, especially in the USA.

With their first full release, titled 'Suicide Euphoria', Pissgrave have created a death metal record that brings the genre back to it's roots, whilst still managing to show the versatility of modern and technical death metal. This album has the pacey, straight to the point personality of classic death metal, with monstrously raw and brutal vocals delivered straight from the gut with unbelievably disgusting vocal deliveries that savagely spew out of the vocalist's throat. The guitars are ruthless throughout and are accompanied by the unforgiving, merciless pounding of the drums, the kind that sounds like some psychopath just went batshit crazy when recording.

'Suicide Euphoria' may be a sick and violent record, but it's not just a one dimensional onslaught of  true brutal death metal. There are some tracks, like 'Impaled Vibration' and the title track 'Suicide Euphoria' that show hints of melodic and groove metal influences, with parts in the song that have some real moments for head banging and the odd two-step, some real mosh pit moments there.

Amongst the influences, there are still many tracks on this album for the elitist fan, tracks that are just pure 100% heavy, punishing and angsty death metal, especially 'Pain Enchantment' and 'Prevail In Hell' both tracks which are just noise topped on more noise.

The only track on this album that I wasn't all that keen on was 'The Second Sorrowful Mystery' which was very different from the over tracks with a more slam/deathcore feel to it, which don't get me wrong I love both of those genres, but it's not something you should expect on an album that aims to be as raw as it is, it just didn't fit in.

All in all Pissgrave have created a record that is creative and varied within the genre of death metal, while remaining to be all out gross, violent and morbid at the same time.

7/10

/BRUTAL DEATH METAL/DEATH METAL/DEATHGRIND/

FAV TRACKS: - Impaled Vision - Prevail In Hell - Pain Enchantment -

LEAST FAV TRACKS: - The Second Sorrowful Mystery - 

    

Counterparts - Tragedy Will Find Us

Counterparts Offer a Purging Journey Through Their Music

Ontario based melodic hardcore band, Counterparts, are back with 'Tragedy Will Find Us', the follow up to 2013's 'The Difference Between Hell and Home', an album which was heavily praised by critics and helped the group to garner a worldwide following and become one of the big names amongst the melodic hardcore community. Since then the group have undergone line-up changes and signed to Pure Noise Records, the label that Counterparts' latest record has been released under.

'Tragedy Will Find Us' is dark to say the least, this is made instantly clear by the raw, throat tearing vocals that accompany lyrics which explore themes of lead singer, Brendan Murphy's, self antagonism, all while continuing Counterparts' prime blend of heavy and soft, best demonstrated in 'Tragedy' and lead single 'Burn'. The album opener 'Stillborn' demonstrates the bands ability to create a track that can change tempo in the blink of an eye, and carry the hectic energy from start to finish. There are a lot of overwhelming moments on this album, the lyrical content and the amazing vocal delivery mixed with the stunning instrumentals, delivered with the same passion that we've come to expect and love from Counterparts. As well as all of this there are some tracks on this album that employ talking and muttering, that resembles Code Orange's 'I Am King', Counterparts pull it off perfectly, using it to create a great contrast between their speedy, high energy hardcore.

Counterparts have managed to once again improve on their last effort, which is a huge achievement for the group, considering the quality of their previous album. At the moment Counterparts are looking like a band who can do no wrong and if they continue to better themselves the way they are, then they'll quickly find themselves at the top of the hardcore genre.

(If you're interested in reading the story behind the lyrics by Brendan Murphy click here)

9/10

/MELODIC HARDCORE/

FAV TRACKS: - Tragedy - Burn - Stillborn - Solace - Choke -
LEAST FAV TRACKS: - Drown -
    

The Bunny The Bear - A Liar Wrote This

The Eccentric Post-Hardcore Duo Return With Matured Sound

The Bunny The Bear are arguably one of the most unique post-hardcore bands currently on the scene, blending synthpop, metalcore and experimental rock to create a sound that is as weird as it is identifiable. Essentially a one man project of Matthew Tybor as he writes all of the lyrics and music himself and performs mainly unclean vocals with the support from a constantly changing studio band and clean vocalist Chris Hukta, who has provided the clean vocals since the début album back in 2010. 

'A Liar Wrote This' is the first The Bunny The Bear album to not feature Chris Hukta's iconic voice that is rich in range and emotion. Hukta was replaced in 2014 by studio partner and friend of Tybor, Hayley Roback, after they released a bunch covers onto soundcloud and as Roback started to join The Bunny The Bear on tour, she was eventually announced as Hukta's official replacement.

It's pretty clear from the start of the album, the opening interlude 'Vows' and track 'Love, Trust and Compromise' that the band's sound has matured, with the synth as good as completely removed from the whole album. Tybor's lyrics get more stirring and emotive in every album and he has once again bettered himself in 'A Liar Wrote This'. Matt Tybor has also improved vocally too, this latest record features his finest sounding unclean vocals since 2011's 'If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say', in this album he also provides a lot of the clean vocals alongside Hayley 'Bear 4.0' Roback. Unfortunately this leads to one of my main issues with this record, I don't know if it's because I'm personally biased towards former singer Chris Hukta or if it's just that Roback isn't that good of a singer, but I find her clean vocals hard to bare throughout the album, Tybor and Roback do partner up together well, creating a smooth contrast between vocals, especially in 'Lover's Touch' and the revisit of 'It's Not Always Cold In Buffalo', but I feel like although she does shine in one or two tracks, Hayley's cleans really let the record down.

It's safe to say The Bunny The Bear are moving forward and 'A Lair Wrote This' is a stepping stone in the right direction definitely, the more anthemic songs on this album like 'Love, Trust And Compromise' 'It's Not Always Cold In Buffalo' and 'Sleep Sequence' had moments that gave me shivers or made my hair stand on edge because, negatives aside, it's great to see a band change their sound so much and still have beautiful moments of genius. Hopefully the next step for The Bunny The Bear is to really focus on a more complete version of this new sound and really get the best out of Hayley Roback.

6/10

/ POST-HARDCORE / EXPERIMENTAL ROCK /

FAV TRACKS - Love, Trust, Compromise - Lovers Touch - Sleep Sequence - Somewhat Standards -
LEAST FAV TRACKS - Curtain Call - Sick, Sad Eyes - Loose Lips -

INTERVIEW WITH MATT TYBOR