All We Expected & Raum Kingdom - Split EP (CD Review)

01.All We Expected - We're Not Born to Live Like Brutes
02.All We Expected - Flood
03.Raum Kingdom - Grace
04.Raum Kingdom - Lost in the Hunt


ALL WE EXPECTED
Guillian Maertens (Guitar/Vocals)
Tijl Tytgat (Guitar)
Martijn Salomez (Bass)
Artuur Bruwier (Drums)

All We Expected have been creating music since 2012 and started performing live later in 2013, from belgium Driven by intense emotions and raw energy, All We Expected brings forth a fierce mix of dark atmospheres, melodic basslines and pounding drums.

For information on Raum Kingdom see previous post  RAUM KINGDOM

Was not expecting that! Both of All we Expected tracks are really long songs, mainly instrumentals (well i cant hear much in the way of vocals), they are sort of doom influenced but with a neo prog delivery, in some ways the guitar style reminds me of Muse and even Radiohead, but not as poppy or depressive as either of those bands.

As for Raum Kingdom, not much to add here in terms of general praise for this band whose self titled EP (see link above) was outstanding.
Each song is ten minutes in duration and has the same doom/grunge vibe as everything else i have heard by them, full of melody and interesting timing changes.

Rating 9/10
For fans Of: Isis, Muse, Tool, Deftones

Raum Kingdom - Raum Kingdom (CD Review)

01.Wounds
02.Barren Objects
03.Cross Reference
04.These Open Arms
05.This Sullen Hope


Ronan Connor (Bass)
Mark Gilchrist (Drums)
Andrew Colohan (Guitar)
Dave Lee (Vocals)

Raum Kingdom started out in late 2013 from the east coast of Ireland with Singer - Dave Lee and Guitarist - Andrew Colohan who were looking to create a soul crushing experience of sonics. It wasn't until long time friends, Bassist - Ronan Connor and Drummer - Mark Gilchrist joined the line up that this project ready to express itself. So Raum Kingdom had found the creative force and sound to start progressing.

With all members having a great passion for all genres of music, it was time to channel this into what would turn out to be Raum Kingdom's Debut Self titled – Self Released 5 track EP, Which was released in April 2014.
Raum Kingdom's heart is for turning negativity into positivity and having a blast for doing what they have a passion for.

'Wounds' was not what i was expecting it's an atmospheric and interesting mix of doom/grunge and metal, loaded with pounding rhythms and gruff vocals.

Still with a doom edge but 'Barren Objects' has this dark psychedelic quality, some great bass work as well really comes through.

'Cross reference' has a very quiet start and then gets this sort of spoken word/rap style vocal, the oasional cymbal crash behind, it's a weird piece.

Another quiet start for 'These Open Arms' before launching into this riff heavy powerhouse that just crashes through the speakers with wave after wave of energy.

Finally 'This Sullen Hope', and again slow beginning into huge bursts of energy definatley a grunge/doom hybrid.

Rating 9/10
For fans of: Tool, Deftones, Isis, Earth, Melvins

Fist City - Everything Is A Mess (2015)

01.Intro
02.Fuck Cops
03.Let's Rip
04.Hey Little Sister
05.Bad Trip
06.Interlude I
07.Shotgun
08.Surf's Up
09.Interlude II
10.Interlude III
11.Rats
12.The Smell
13.End Of The Good Times
14.Losers Never Die
15.Interlude IV
16.The Mess
17.Interlude V

Kier Griffiths (Vocals/Guitar)
Brittany Griffiths (Bass)
Evan Van Reekum (Guitar)
Ryan Grieve (Drums)

Supercharged Southern Alberta quartet Fist City burst from basement studios onto the stage in 2009. The twin sibling duo of Kier and Brittany Griffiths — musical collaborators from the womb to the tomb — found ideal foils in frenetic guitarist/songwriter Evan Van Reekum and powerhouse drummer Ryan Grieve. A solid string of releases from labels such as L.A.’s Dead Beat, Victoria’s La Ti Da, and Transgressive have been coupled with tours at home and abroad, glowing reviews, recording with Don Pyle, a Nardwuar interview, and other thrills.

2014 marked a transitional year, including personal changes among the band members, the reissue of their debut LP It’s 1983,Grow Up! from Transgressive Records (originally issued by L.A.’s Black Tent Press in 2012) and the recording of Fist City’s sophomore salvo Everything Is A Mess. The new album finds them primed to take the future by storm and was recorded at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio in Chicago.


If you take out the intro and interludes, all of which are just very short instrumentals you are left with 11 songs.
These songs are simle, short, almost post grunge pop rock numbers, delivered mainly in the style of say the Pixies.

The sixties influenced (Mainly) instrumentals songs like 'Surfs Up' and 'Rats' are reminiscent of Greg Sage, and have a slightly punky vocal.

Honestly can't think of much to say here, it's a listenable album, nothing to get too excited about.

Rating 7/10
For Fans Of: Greg Sage & Wipers, Pixies, Buzzcocks

Slowcoaches - Thinkers EP (CD Review)

Self titled 'Slack Metal' band formed in 2010 return with a new four-track EP, THINKERS. The EP follows on from their 'Tye Die Tapes' release, We're So Heavy back in May 2012.

Along with a fistful of new songs, Heather and Matty instigated another line up change, with the addition of Mazes' Neil Robinson on drums. The band maintains a fiercely DIY ethic and the past year have performed across the UK and Europe with bands including Mission of Burma and The Thermals.

Opening song 'Thinkers' sounds like L7 back in their SubPop days, its a raw guitar driven, grungey mix with riotgrrrl attitude.

'Total Block' is a distorted faced paced fuzz monster, simplistic in delivery like a classic 3 chord Ramones song.

The weirdly titled 'Biennal Drool' is the first to not feature Heather on vocals, the song is reminiscent of the post punk sounds of Buzzcocks and even a touch of Joy Division.

Finally 'Nightlife' sticks with that new wave vibe, the vocals are full of harmony and the music flows wiyhut becoming complicated.

Neat little ep, good old "DIY" ethics creating good easy to listen too sounds.

Rating 8/10

For Fans Of : L7, Hole, Buzzcocks, Throwing Muses, Sonic Youth

Blood Drive - Besides Expectations (CD Review)

01.Besides Expectations
02.In Limbo
03.Heart Breaker
04.Break At The Bend
05.Idol Sound

Matthew Lee (Guitar/Vocals)
Jon Stevenson (Bass)
Russ Smith (Drums)

Lincoln based band who formed at the beginning of this year, the trio having played together in a previous outfit decided to move into a more rock orientated direction drawing on influences from the Deftones to Alkaline Trio.

Opening with 'Besides Expectations' the sound is slightly reminscent of Foo Fighters mixed with some pop punk melodies.
A solid vocal performance and well played even if the music is a little simplistic in delivery.

Some nice guitar opens the next song 'In Limbo' and builds into some early grunge stylings creating an almost anthemic feel, throw in a quirky guitar solo towards the end and all in all pretty good stuff.

Some solid drumming drives along 'Heart Breaker', complete with a catchy chorus and a guitar riff perfect for mini mosh pits, this one is no doubt a live favourite.

Now 'Break At The Bend' has a very different feel, the opening has a touch of Metallica's 'One' about it, then it moves into some furious guitaring and agressive drumming with some clever pedal work thrown in.
The song has some interesting timing changes, bordering on Thrash riffs, to QOTSA harmony breakdowns.

Finally 'Idol Sound' has a goth/indie vibe, especially in the riff that could be one of Brian Moloko's.

Overall a good EP, lots of ideas and energy, if it lacks anything its the overall production, at times very "tinny", almost as if the whole thing was recorded live in one take as opposed to a month in the studio, needs a good mix to give it some warmth and depth.That said if this is the first then the second will be something to look out for.

They are already popular on the live circuit and their fanbase in increasing all the time, i would suggest you go check them out and buy a copy!

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of : Foo Fighters, Placebo, Alkaline Trio, Muse, Deftones, Nirvana

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/blooddriveuk?fref=ts

Allus On Drugs - Demo EP (CD Review)

01.Ted
02.Stir
03.How High
04.Sunset Yellow

Jason Moules (Vocals)
Damien Hughes (Guitar)
Tom Peden (Bass)
Andrey Pavlovic (Guitar)
Connor Fisher-Atack (Drums)

Allusondrugs are a 5 piece alternative rock band from Castleford in Yorkshire formed in the autumn of 2012.
Noted for their beautiful vocal harmonies soaring over huge, effect ridden guitars and pulverizing beats, this band will give you a screaming eargasm.
Their wild and intense live show can turn a room full of people into soup in minutes.

The band has spent the last few months gigging heavily and making home recordings of
their material that so far has ranged from psychedelic pop to fuzzed out stoner rock and
have just signed to Clue Records who recently released a limited edition cd single called 'Plasters'.

However this is a promo ep given away at gigs, well packaged and even came with a free sweetie!

We start with 'Ted' a screaming super fuzzed out mix of Mudhoney meets the Hives, a simple song about their friend "ted" who is apparently in heaven and watching porn!

With the catchy lyric "watch him as he shivers" i shall hazard a guess that 'Stir' is not about being stuck out in the cold, but a drug related matter set to some excellent subterranean pop music.

'How High' has a post brit pop sound reminiscent of Stereophonics, a great vocal performance backed by sub psychedelic riffs and solid drum beats.

A chilled out mellow song, 'Sunset Yellow' apparently about "Irn Bru", im not convinced its a homage to the scottish soft drink, i suspect it maybe something more "fun", the song has an hypnotic sound and is one that really stands out.

An interesting mix of sounds and influences all "possibly" influenced by something not musical?
I think they may have hit upon a new sub genre of indie or grunge with a sort of "StonerPop".

Rating 9/10

For fans of : Mudhoney, Nirvana, Stereophonics, Stone Roses, The Hives



FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/Allusondrugs

Catfight - Never Go Back EP (Cd Review)

01.Break
02.Walking On Steel
03.Hayleen


Samara Kain (Vocal/Rhythm Guitar)
Martha Lewis (Lead Guitar)
Nix (Bass)
Magzilla (Drums)


It was at the end of 2008 when Catfight started to take shape, eventually making their debut supporting Nemhain (a band with which Samara had played rhythm guitar for)in February 2009.
Numerous line up changes and one stunning ep followed quickly gaining them a reputation as "THE" band to see live.

By spring of this year they had notched up support slots to just about every genre of band from Thrash to Punk.
They then returned to the studio with legendary producer Andy Brook for a second EP.


Keeping up their grunge/punk influence with 'Break' this opener shows that the band have moved forward in terms of writing and that vocalist Samara has both the confidence and ability to lead the band to bigger and better things.

With an opening guitar riff not unlike Bryan Adams 'Run To You', 'Walking On Steel' is a brilliant, moody and dark song.
Great guitar solo and superb vocal delivery punctuate a worthy follow up to last years 'Kill Me Again' and is definatley Catfight Classic Number Two.

Think i'll call this the "Lesbian Grunge Rocker", not sure why just something about the lyrics i guess!
It has a typical Courtney Love style but none of the arrogance, the song is short and sweet and kicks ass!

STU

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of: Hole, Distillers, Throwing Muses,Nemhain

CATFIGHT - CATFIGHT EP (Cd Review)

01.The Pill

02.Amia

03.The Picture

04.Kill Me Again

Samara Kain (Guitar/Vocals)

Marcella Crivellaro (Vocals)

Martin Drees (Drums)
Dave Silver (Lead Guitar)

Sasha Cron (Bass)

Formed at the beginning of the year by former Nemhain guitarist Samara, Catfight are rapidly emerging as not only a great live act but a band who produce outstanding songs.
This EP features guest appearences from british melodic thrashers Savage Messiah's Dave and Sasha whose contribution is simply stunning.

We start with 'The Pill' a full on Motorhead influenced rocker driven by drums and Marcella's superb vocal delivery, its fast and furious!

'Amia' kicks of with a 60's sounding guitar riff which has a Hendrix/Beck feel that just ripps through the whole song.Its a catchy muthafucker of a song with, crazy vocals, drums and pounding bass join to create an awesome tune that will have you singing "aiyeeah, ama ama ama" wheather you like it or not.

Next up is the first song the band wrote, 'The Picture'.

This is a grungy/fuzzy piece with some great lyrics, its what i call a "head nodder" cause you cant stay still when this is on.

Finally we arrive at 'Kill Me Again', a song that i must have played a 100 times already, i cant get over this song its just brilliant.It starts with an emotive bass line that punctuates the entire song, im not even sure how a bass line can carry such feeling but it does, its awesome and is a credit to Sasha that he can take a couple of chords and produce this quality.

The guitarwork has it all from some lovely slide on the opening to the little riffs and a neat solo.

Martin's rhythmic drums go from strength to strength driving the whole song to its crescendo.

Now to the vocals of Marcella and Samara who duet throughout, the best female vocal performance i have heard for a very long time, again the emotion that comes through is stunning and the harmony is perfect.

The whole song is moody and put over in such a way when the girls sing "i cant believe you're gone and its all my fault" that you actually believe it.The production on this track by Andy Brook is electrifying his abilty to allow the feeling to come through on this is genius.

A perfect EP, a release date has yet to be set, but when it is announced order yourself a copy you will not regret it.

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : L7, Hole, Nemhain, Mudhoney, Motorhead, Mallory Knox.