Our Verdict: River City Ransom 'River City Ransom'

River City Ransom, hailing from York, have been creating their very own genre since early 2011. At the beginning of 2012 they unleashed their creation on their world in the form of their self-titled EP. Boy is it magnificent.

Opening track ‘This Day and Age’ eradicated all doubt surrounding what River City Ransom are aiming for. There is no better way to start this EP then with Adam Oliver’s fierce and unruly barking screams that shape this EP into the brilliant work that it is. But he is not doing it single handed.

The high energy of second track ‘Attack Attack!’ is owed in no small part to the high drumming skill of George Hird who adds the urgency to this track that makes it exceptional.

Throughout ‘River City Ransom’ Oliver’s screams are accompanied by the honed vocals of Zak Ford. Ford brings yet another aspect to this bands identity which secures this band from never becoming just another hardcore band in a sea of hardcore bands.

Third track ‘Strength from the Sun’ sees Elliot Sawyer leading the band with his outstanding command of the bass which adds yet another dimension to River City Ransom and makes it hard to imagine that there are any boundaries for this band. They are truly capable of some amazing musical feats.  

Almost everything about this band screams new generation. Everything, that is apart from the intricate guitar lines, from Niall O'Reilly that are somewhat nostalgic, mirroring an older age of rock that has needed reviving for far too long. This is best exhibited in ‘Strength from the Sun’ and an incomparable solo in fourth track ‘Fear and Loathe.’

Every facet of ‘Fear and Loathe’ is highly addictive and should probably come with a warning attached. The bass is highlighted, the guitars are evocative, the drums are perfectly dominating and both screaming and vocals are on top form.

Closing song ‘Lost Cause’ is the best way to close a work of this calibre. The vocals from Zak Ford are handled so carefully that they almost sound like they are being uttered in a different, more elegant, language.

The song, and the EP, is closed on a gleaming scream sequence from  Adam Oliver accompanied only by another helping of relentless and exciting drums from George Hird.

Exceptional work, masterfully crafted. Keep your eyes on River City Ransom because they are going to be re-defining and leading music for many years to come.