Calgary - Fight Fire With Fire EP Review

This is a review of the EP Fight Fire With Fire (7.5) by a new band Calgary which is released on the 2^nd December.

The album kicks off with “Fight Fire With Fire” a breezy sun drenched guitar pop song with a catchy chorus, which will get stuck in your head for days. Lead singer, Jakob has a voice which is silky smooth, complimenting the bouncy guitar work.  The song is sure to feature on many TV programmes and film in due course.

Next up is “In My Arms” which starts off as a straightforward love song. Around the 2 minute mark the songs changes building layers of guitars and haunting backing vocals, giving a sense this song may be about a love lost. This is a very powerful emotive song, which shows another side to the band and is by far the best track on the EP.

“Run, Run” is in a similar mould to title track but is a very listenable track, which again features a ridiculously catchy chorus. The guitar work shows flourishes keeping the listener interested.

The EP ends on the track “Shine”, lead singer, Jakob adopts a rhyming vocal style for the verses and a sung chorus showing his high vocal range. The guitar work is intricate and again the whole track is lyrically upbeat.

It would be nice to see more diversity on future releases, which is hinted at with the standout track “In My Arms”.   The EP is a collection of perfectly crafted pop /rock song, which are upbeat and lyrically intelligent.  

Mallory Knox Review with support from Bliz Kids, White Rabbit, Plymouth 24th November 2013

Mikey from Mallory Knox

The White Rabbit was at full capacity and the majority of the audience had assembled by the time Blitz Kids(7) had hit the stage. The lead singer, Joe James, surveyed the crowd in amazement before launching into a high octane opening number. They blistered their way through their songs, making the most of their short support slot. The crowd were responding to the band with energetic bouncing and the usual clapping. From the evidence here their new album is definitiely worth a listen.

The crowd were restless during the interval with levels of excitement brewing and the odd chant of “we want Knox”.

The lights dimmed and Mallory Knox(9) took to the stage launching in to their latest single “Hello”. The first thing that was noticeable is that they played incredibly tight and their live sound is a fraction heavier than on record. Up next was “Wake Up” a bouncy number with a simple chanted chorus and accompany “whooa” which feature heavily in their music. The band had hit its stride and the crowd were lapping up every note.

They played back to back, two songs from their Pilot EP, the incredible “Oceans” and catching “Resuscitate” with sing-along chorus of “Stop bleeding, start breathing  tonight”.

The whole evening slowed down for “1949” a beautiful ballad with Mikey encouraging the crowd to grab their loved ones or any random stranger they fancy. The band unleashed a new song “A Secret” on to the audience a mid-paced rocker, which did not have immediacy of some of their big hitters.

The highlight of the set was “Death Rattle" a blistering song with superb shouted vocals from Mikey backed up by bassists Sam’s softer vocals and pounding bass line. In parts the song is as heavy as a brick to a window, showing the band are capable of taking it up a notch. The guitarists fed off each other playing with speed and dexterity. Towards the end of the song the band paused, before they delivered by far their best riff, which some harder rock bands would be jealous of. The band left the stage and after a well-deserved break. The first song of the encore was “Creeper” with its soaring chorus of “we are all broken”. The band were very good at getting the audience involved with call & response parts, circle pits and bouncing.

The band ended on “Lighthouse” which according to the band was written about our lighthouse in Plymouth, which is where they shot the video. The song is very melodic and tailor made for epic sig-alongs. Mikey commanded that the crowd get out lighters, cameras and phones and wave them in the air. The song elicited an even bigger response from the crowd who sang every word as if their life counted on it. Mikey showed how it was done with an epic stage dive into the crowd before being wrenched back on stage by the overzealous security.  

The crowd expected so much from the young band and they delivered on all fronts,leaving everyone wondering when Mallory Knox will return.

Forever Can Wait - Beauty & Grace EP Review

Forever Can Wait are a Female Fronted Hard Rock / Post Hardcore band from Southampton who burst on the hard rock scene in October 2009. This is a review of their new Ep, Beauty & Grace(8).

The first thing noticeable on the opening track, "Beauty & Grace" is the depth of the guitars before lead singer, Tash’s vocals cut perfectly through the mix. The sound is heavy but not overwhelming; complimenting her higher vocal range. The guitars chug away with crashing drums creating a surreal, dream-like soundscape.

The next track, “P & Q” has a more up-tempo feel; with a humongous driving riff and catchy chorus.  "Rest" showcases a beast of a bass line, with alternating male shouted vocals and female sung vocals providing light and dark to the track.

The whole EP slows down for a minute long piano-based interlude, before returning for the soaring melodies of “Excuses” a track which slowly builds. The EP ends on “Hope & Dreams” a straight-forward hard rock song with addictive funky guitar work, leaving the listener wanting more.

Forever Can Wait have proven with this EP that they can write catchy hooks and memorable riffs, and that they are an exciting new talent.  They are a must listen for any fans of Tonight Alive, Paramore, Anavae and Evarose.

Beauty and Grace is released 27th November 2013.

Catch them now on tour:-

20th - London- Nambucca

21st - Southampton - Unit

22nd - Cardiff - Fuel Rock Club

 

NATIVES - New Song - Church

 

To brighten up your Tuesday , posting a new song by NATIVES called Church - Enjoy 

 

 

NATIVES are on Tour  November 2013 / March 2014

15/11/13 - SOUTHAMPTON, UK Joiners

19/3/14 - BRISTOL, UK Louisiana

20/3/14- SHEFFIELD, UK Corporation

21/3/14- NOTTINGHAM, UK Red Rooms

22/3/14- BIRMINGHAM, UK O2 Academy 3

24/3/14- NEWCASTLE, UK O2 Academy 2

25/3/14- GLASGOW, UK King Tut's

26/3/14- MANCHESTER, UK Deaf Institute

27/3/14- LEEDS, UK Cockpit 2

29/3/14- PARIS, FR Nouveau Casino

30/3/14- EINDHOVEN, NL Dynamo

31/3/14- COLOGNE, GER Underground 2

2/4/14- ANTWERP, BL Kavka Club

3/4/14- LONDON, UK Borderline

The JCQ - White Rabbit, Bretonside - Halloween 2013

The JCQ (8) are a Quintet (six touring members) from Eastbourne who play mathcore / post hardcore.

The JCQ took the Halloween theme and ran with it, the lead singer dressed as Snow White, and the band as Dwarves. From the outset it was clear this band has a sense of humour which is sometimes lacking in post hardcore bands. 
 

The band are unpredictable, which adds a hint of danger to an exhilarating live proposition. Playing mainly songs off their new album, Mechanical Young, which should be on most peoples Xmas list this year.

Even dressed in what can only be described as a yellow wedding dress, lead singer, Jack swaggered around the stage singing and screaming. Their sound lies somewhere between letlive, Blood Brothers and At The Drive In, so pretty damn good then. Apparently the band headlined The White Rabbit and no one came but from what we have seen, they missed one hell of a show.

Max Raptor - White Rabbit, Bretonside - Halloween 2013

 

 

Max Raptor (8) are a four piece from Burton on Trent, who play punk with a metallic edge in similar vein to Billy Talent. When asked about their curious name their guitarist simply did not know where it came from!

They entered the stage sharply dressed and when their bassist warmed up with a few RATM riffs, the audience knew they meant business.

They have razor sharp riffs and complex bass lines and a lead singer who alternates between melodic singing and shouting. They put on a rip-roaring set engaging the crowd and lead singer, (possibly called Wil), had great fun spitting fiery lyrics at the baying crowd. 
 
The subject of the lyrics was very much punk inspired political rhetoric. The set closed on “The King is Dead” but the punk spirit is clearly alive and well in Max Raptor. This is a band who you have to see live. Hopefully they will return to the White Rabbit.