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.   

Our Verdict: Sincerity 'Monuments'

Formed in 2011, it’s hard to pin point what melodic-metal quintet Sincerity should be most proud of in their short time as a band.

It could be Touring with Demoraliser. But then again it could be supporting  the likes of Hundredth, Liferuiner and Heights. When you think about it though it’s probably their flawless video. Actually, our money is on their EP ‘Monuments’.

Released on April 23^rd 2012, it really is impressive work for a band that was only formed about a year beforehand.

‘Monuments’ has metal written all over it and doesn’t fail to deliver the brutal tracks that anybody would expect from this band.

But there is another level to Sincerity which is melodically intriguing which makes them vastly more interesting than other, more generic, bands in this genre.

Opening track ‘Valour’ is an insanely brutal track that successfully introduces what Sincerity are. It’s heavy as hell and the screaming delivered by Jamie is perfectly dirty. Said vocals are given even more substance in this track with impeccable gang-vocals, which is always a nice treat.

‘Destiny’ follows and is a bit more reliant on the wicked guitar technique of JJ and Nathan. It’s easy to identify here that this band have a god-like command over their instruments. If ‘Valour’ didn’t convince you that you might be in for a rough ride at a Sincerity show, this one will do it.  

The melodic nature of this band is really showcased in third track ‘The Unbreakable’ with a really rather beautiful opening but a typically relentless beast of a track attached. It’s refreshing to hear a metal band that doesn’t have the attitude where it doesn’t matter what they’re producing, as long as it’s loud.

With the EP’s name sake ‘Monuments’ it becomes very clear that Sincerity have a great idea what they want to become and how they want to do it. Their sense of identity is flawless and will hopefully withstand anything that comes Sincerity’s way.

‘Monuments’ also sees the band surrendering their reliance on screaming and pulling out some marginally softer vocals. It’s a brave risk for a metal band but Sincerity manage it, highlighting their melodic technical side and retaining their metal roots as always.

To close on an aggressive note track ‘Ascendant’ is delicious steel. The song leads into a beat down that would be terrifying live but surprisingly turns into something quite beautiful. That is, after all, the epitome of Sincerity.

The closing line for this track, and the EP, is delivered almost a capella and is a touching way to close this masterful piece of work.   

'MONUMENTS' OUT NOW! http://sincerityuk.bigcartel.com/

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/monuments-ep/id520110558

Our Verdict: These City Lights EP 'Where We Stand'

On April 1^st These City Lights unleashed their debut EP ‘Where We Stand’ on the world and successfully established their place in the London Rock scene.

Unfortunately These City Lights have been forced to back out of a couple of shows recently due to Rob Butcher (drums) not being in the best of health. However, they are now preparing for their June tour alongside Kids Can’t Fly and it’s only sensible that we take a close look at “Where We Stand” and reacquaint ourselves with the brilliant work.

As opening tracks go ‘Through Their Eyes’ is exceptional. The pacing guitar lines are exciting. The viscious and dominating drum tracks are aggressive. Together this track is full-on creating an incomparable belligerence that underlines everything this band is about.

There is a two second breather halfway through this opening belter but it doesn’t last long and any live crowd will be plunged back into the heavy head-thrashing that will inevitably ensue.   

It is near impossible to hear that opening track and not take notice because These City Lights make it incredibly palpable that something exhilarating is about to blast through the speakers.

Vocals, delivered by Aaron Paxton, are a more honed version of those associated with The Used’s Bert McCracken. Paxton’s range is truly impressive stretching from wildly fierce to whisperingly sexy in a second.

If you haven’t already seen These City Lights live then the opening to second track ‘Breathe’ should give you some idea of what you’ll be raring to do the second that you get the chance to. Another helping of ferocious drums imitates an adoring crowd smashing their hands together.

Once the adrenaline of the drums begins to subside Paxton’s vocals electrify again by pleading “I need you now.”

Throughout the EP Tommy Earl and Charlie Lunn (guitars) work unbelievably well together to really frame the utter rage that is simmering within “Where We Stand.” If anything this skill is not exhibited enough.

‘Breathe’ finishes on a quieter note that third track ‘Labelled Liar’ picks up from. But don’t worry, it ploughs right back into the fast paced destructive nature that, by now, These City Lights have made the audience need.

Penultimate track ‘Torn Apart’ pulls the same trick off, starting on a slower tempo where the vocals are decelerated to a talking pace. It’s not too long before the track is dragged right back into the gritty anger that this whole EP has been gearing towards.  

With final track ‘Counting Your Sins’ it is safe to say that someone has royally hacked off These City Lights and to that person we say thank you! Without you there would be a ‘Where We Stand’ shaped hole in the world. This last track is a slight change of pace but still perfectly hits the mark. There is a much more sombre middle which includes a stunning a capella moment.

‘Where We Stand’ is available for download (for a price of your choice) from thesecitylights.bandcamp.com. If you want it for free just enter 0.00 when asked.