Review of "Enter The Lexicon" by Enter The Lexicon

Enter the Lexicon (8/10) are a three piece hard rock band from Newcastle and consist of Mykl Barton (Guitar & Vocals), Ben Hardy (Drums) and Danny Pitson (Bass & Backing Vocals). Their latest EP is self titled.

The EP starts with a short burst of controlled feedback at the start of "Do You Feel The Same" ; massive riffs, meaty bass lines and stomping drums are the order of the day. Mykl's vocals simmer and seethe before he finally lets loose on the soaring chorus.

Comparison to Nirvana are inevitable but Mykl's voice is unique and he does not try to mimic Kurt's vocal stylings like other singers do in the same genre; bass player Danny has a strong distorted bass tone, which fills out the sound in much the same way that Krist Novaselic's bass playing did for Nirvana.

Up next is "I Am Not You" which has a rock and roll swagger with both clean and shouted vocals and fast paced driving riffs. The sound is reminiscent of nu-grunge band, Seether with choice use of language during the chorus.

The band throw a curved ball on the Kings of Leon-esque "Full Moon" which replaces the grunge soaked guitars with alternative rock melodic sensibilities. The chorus of "I could be wrong or I could be right, I could go down or I could fight". has a catchy familiar quality, which will have you humming long after the EP has ended.

The EP ends on the cryptically titled "Enantiodromia" with its echo drenched vocals and insistent riffing; the whole track is stripped to bass, vocals and drums before Mykl's guitar hits overdrive along with some very effective call and refrain vocals.

The band have a refreshing take on the grunge meets metal sound with mountain sized riffs, hefty distorted bass and seething vocals.The EP is recommended for fans of Bush, Seether, Reuben, Silverchair and Nirvana.

Enter The Lexicon is released on 3rd June 2014.

5/5.8 , White Rabbit , Plymouth, 2nd May 2014

5/5.8 are a hard rock band from Eastbourne / London and are formed of  Gio (Drums), James (Guitar), John (Bass), Luke (Vocals) and Danny (Guitar). The support slot at the White Rabbit was their first performance as a band.

After short instrumental the band kicked off the set with a cover of "City Lights" by Motionless In White, (their version was preferable to the original) showcasing some fleet fingered fretwork and some excellent vocals from James, Luke and Danny.

The first original song was “Love & Cobain” a heavy punk infused song which lyrically about fractious relationship of the Nirvana front man, next up was “Overcast March” a stomping rock and roll influenced mosh worthy number with intricate guitar work by James and superbly unpredictable vocals from Luke.

The highlight of the set was the song “Trial Period” which starts with epic catchy metal riff played by James and grungy vocals with an extremely memorable chorus. The audience could tell that this was the song that the band really meant and the passion shone through.

Each member had their own aesthetic which they brought to their performance; the melting pot of metal, grunge, punk, hard rock and post hardcore was fused together to form the bands unique hybrid sound. Because of their diversity the band is likely to appeal to wide range of rock fans. So expect unpredictable vocals, chugging riffs, intricate guitar work, quick drumming and dirty bass lines.

The set closed on a cover of Bring Me The Horizons "Shadow Moses" which was breathtakingly good, aided by the crowd shouts at appropriate points. It was a brave move playing such a highly regarded song for a cover and it paid off showing the bands heavier side.

Special mention has to made of Gio's pounding drumming and John's relentless bass playing on the Bring Me The Horizon cover. 

The crowd were suitably impressed with what they witnessed and the band were a perfect opener for the evening ahead; expect big things from this young band.

Plymouth's Rock Scene Part 5 (Six Sins Till Sunday, Pseudomorph)

Here in Plymouth we have been treated to many international and British rock bands gracing our venues whether at the White Rabbit, The Junction , Tiki Bar or Plymouth Pavilions.

We also have a clutch of home grown talent who have been busy gigging night after night in our City and the surrounding area.

This week we focus on two heavy bands from Plymouth, one an established name and one young upstart, if you see either name on a poster you know the gig will be loud!

Six Sins Till Sunday

Six Sins Till Sunday are a 5 piece hard rock band from Plymouth forged in 2011 and consists of Chris (Vocals), Pete (Guitar),  Andy (Bass), Paul (Drums) and Colin(Guitar). The band have accomplished a lot in their relatively short existence including countless gigs and an EP called "Nex Ratio" which is available through Itunes.

The band are currently finishing off the remaining tracks to be included on their debut album, which they will be recording later this year.In 2015 they will do a tour supporting the release of the new album. Unlike many of their peers in their genre the band have wry sense of humour, and they strive to put on great live shows to please their ever expanding fan-base and new fans alike.

What Do They Sound Like?

The band mixes old school metal values with modern metal techniques to produce a sound that is both cutting edge but familiar. They combine heavy as lead riffs, epic solos and shouted/ half sung vocals all topped of with hammering drums. Their influences are Pantera, Rob Zombie and Tool(they have been known to throw in a mean cover of Bodies by Drowning Pool).

Find out more about the band at https://www.facebook.com/SixSinstillSunday
Buy their Ep at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/six-sins-till-sunday/id833521717
Follow on twitter :- https://twitter.com/6SinsTillSunday
The band are playing the Tiki Bar 21st June 2014

Pseudomorph

Pseudomorph are a 5 piece hard rock band from Plymouth founded in 2013 and consists of Jack (Guitar) , Joseph (Drums), Matt(Bass), Mark (Vocals) and Jason (Guitar). The band was the idea of Jack Wiggins (there is a beanie related story) who is the chief writer and assembled the crack team* of musicians in the band.

The band have recorded a clutch of tracks available on their Facebook page and busy playing to as many people as possible around Plymouth. The band promise energetic rock to bounce, fist pump and headbang to.

What Do They Sound Like?

The band draws on the influences of all their members to create a melting pot of loud guitars, pounding drums, driving riffs, complex bass-lines and grungy vocals . They have diverse influences of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Tool, Alter Bridge and Soundgarden

Find out more about the band here:- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pseudomorph/537954239602694
Follow on Twitter here:- https://twitter.com/pseudomorphuk

*A-Team reference

Run Against The Crowd - Varsity - 13th April 2014

Run Against The Crowd are a hard rock band from Plymouth, consisting of Chelsea Smile (Vocals), David Gibson(Guitar), Tim Gulliver (Bass) and Carl Matthews (Drums).

The band kicked off with “Thank You” and despite being a four piece the band have a huge sound with massive riffs.  Chelsea Smile’s voice is quite delicate, like an English accented Taylor Jardine(lead singer of WATIC) backed by the bands swirling guitars, complex bass lines and thunderous drums.

Highlights of the set were aforementioned “Thank You” ; “Cheers ‘en” with its “Come As You Are - Nirvana" lyrically infused chorus/last verse accompanied by massive wall of guitar noise and the incredibly grungy sounding “Brand New”.

The band has grunge inspired rawness about their sound, mixed with an undertow of heavy riffed atmospherics reminiscent of Deftones or Far. Definitely a band to see live if you get a chance.

Walking With Spiders- Varsity - 13th April 2014

Walking With Spiders are a Plymouth based female fronted hard rock band formed of Sharly Penney (Lead Vocals), Richard Ducky (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Pat Dunford (Bass, Backing Vocals) and Kat Rutlidge (Drums)

The band kicked off the set with their song “Panic” and the first thing noticeable is lead singer, Sharly’s amazing voice which is comparable to Jenna McDougall from Tonight Alive. The highlights of the set were “The Passing” with its powerful beat and driving guitars and "Stand Up" with a extremely catchy chorus 

The band played a cover of “E.T” by Katy Perry which in its original composition is unlistenable, but with amped up guitars and superior vocals it was a pleasant surprise. The band played a slower paced number "Fight Love Take Back" showcasing Sharly's superb vocals before ending on the high octane "Escape" showing that they can rock hard.

Musically they combine powerful bass lines, with fast paced chugging riffs and Sharly’s sultry swaggering vocals. The band has a fluidity and natural ease in which they play, drawing the listener in to their well-crafted and enjoyable songs

Review of "Darkness Of An Age" by Exist Immortal

Exist Immortal are a Metalcore band from West London and their debut album, Darkness Of An Age(8/10) is released on the 12th May 2014.

After a short intro of "Insanity Project" a spidery guitar riff starts up before the listener gets bludgeoned by heavy shouted vocals and a chugging wall of guitars. Seconds later the clean vocals kick in and it becomes clear that lead singer, Meyrick de la Fuente, can actually sing, unlike some of his peers in the same genre.

The highlight of the album is "Legion" a perfectly balanced mix of heavy vocals, staccato down-tuned guitars and clean melodic chorus that will get lodged in your head for days.

The album has sufficient diversity including the multi-layered guitars of "In Parallax", the more accessible single "Edge of Infinity", the group vocal led "Imperator" or the doom laden "Desolace".

The core of melody which runs the length of the record stops the behemoth of guitars and shouted vocals collapsing upon itself. There is sufficient brutality to keep the metalcore legions happy and enough diversity to appeal to hard rock fans in general.

The album closes on "The Omen Machine" a 7 minute plus sledgehammer of a track which ends in a piano outro giving the listening a rest from being pummeled by riffs.

The band have fused technical metal riffs, driving rhythms, epic solos with vocals that go from all out aggression to melodic clean singing. This album is recommended for fans of Bring Me The Horizon, Memphis May Fire, Fear Factory, Machine Head and Killswitch Engage.

See below for their video for "Edge of Infinity"

Review of "Fearsome Fables of Sunday Afternoons" by Propeller

Propeller are a South West based band consisting of Tom Keith (Vocals / Rhythm Guitar) , Lewis Gerry (Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals), Gareth Thomasson (Bass / Backing Vocals) and Adam Drewery (Drums). Fearsome Fables of Sunday Afternoons (7/10) is their first EP release.

The EP kicks off with "No Matter Where" which features fast paced verses,a laid back catchy chorus, overdriven guitars, foot stomping bass and drums. Special mention goes to Lewis's high backing vocals which suit the song and his amazing solo towards the end of the song; a great start to the EP.

"Shine a Light" is the highlight of the EP, a very catchy tune with intricate guitar work, massive riffs, attitude and lead singers Tom Keith's smooth vocals leading the way.

The EP is consistently fun with the ska infused "Do or Die" (which hints at the heavier nature of their live performance); the Clash era brit punk of "Dance With Me"and the dirty funky baseline of meandering "Astronauts".

Production wise the EP is a little rough round the edges (which adds to it overall charm) and it would nice to hear some more of the harder edge the band bring to their excellent live performances.

This is a great summer EP, packed full of charm, bright guitars, abundant energy and catchy songs which will appeal to fans of Artic Monkeys, The Strokes, Biffy Clyro and The Libertines.

Download it here on Itunes https://t.co/FaewjGYrw4

Embers of Eden - Varsity - 13th April 2014

Embers of Eden are a Plymouth based female fronted hard rock band formed by two ex-members of Carnival of Crows:- Alex Dumbiotis (Vocals ,Guitar) and Oli White (Guitar); they are joined by Matt Avery (bass) and Chris Harding(drums). Whereas Carnival Crows' influences were blues related, Embers of Eden influences are definitely metal.

The oEsterjam gig is the first gig as a band and if they were nervous it did not show as they played flawlessly. The set kicked off with the incendiary "Call To Arms (Revolution)" which is both brutal and beautiful in equal parts and is so memorable it should be recorded and released as a single.

Musically they combine big metal riffs, powerful drums, throbbing bass with intricate guitar work topped off with Alex's smooth singing voice cutting cleanly through the intense soundscape. They have clearly been influence by early Metallica as well as modern bands such as Sevendust, Bullet for My Valentine, Avenged Sevenfold and Halestorm.

The set was consistently solid with tracks from the instantly catchy "Hate Me" to the heavier frenetic "Pull Me Under", and softer edged "Bleed". The changes of pace kept the set vibrant and exciting all the way through.

The band threw in a cheeky cover of Skid Row's "Slave to the Grind", which with female lead vocals was more enjoyable than the original.

The band have obviously put a lot of time and effort working on the new songs, which feature very incredibly complex guitar work.The songs are very catchy and despite being heavy are accessible even to those who are not fans of the bands influences.

If you get a chance to see the band in and around Plymouth's venues, take it, as it won't be long till someone recognises the talent on display and they will be playing much larger venues.