post hardcore

(7/10) Reading the bands name, Savage Hands, made me think of a powerful metal outfit, dressed in leather and denim. Wrong assumption I must conclude after having given this album a first spin.

Savage Hands has nothing to do with traditional metal. The five guys are more into modern metal which they combine with some post-hardcore element and shouts. To balance the wild outbursts, the quintet balances things with catchy melodies that mainly come back in the chorus. The title track is a good example since it includes all the mentioned sound pieces. 

"Barely Dead" features seven songs, all within a three to four minutes running time. Most of the tunes follow a similar pattern, described earlier. However, needed or not, there is a ballad on the album too. "Taken" is the calm and soulful moment on a dynamic album. A moment of peace in a hectic world.

"Barely Alive" is by no means a bad record. The guys focus on vigorous songs that are well-crafted and properly produced. The only downer is the fact that there are already many other bands that play similar music and what's missing with this release is the own identity that would make the band stick out from the rest.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Red
2. Barely Alive
3. Unconditional
4. Known It All
5. Taken
6. Dream Dead
7. Your Own Hell

Label: Sharptone Records

Genre: Modern Metal

Release Date EU: March 2nd, 2018

German post hardcore band Fjørd released their current album "Kontakt" in January this year. Since the first two pressings on vinyl are sold out already the band announced a new version which is a picture vinyl, packaged in a gatefold cover. The second disc includes three on vinyl unrealsed songs plus some etching on the B-side. The only way the album can be ordered so far is via the label's webshop.

Furthermore the guys are on tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Here are the dates:

Are you curious about new stuff from post-metal band Cult Of Luna? Here you go. "A Greater Call" is taken from the upcoming album and combines beautiful soundscapes with brutal noise explosions. 

(7/10) Lower Than Atlantis are busy guys and they are successful. At least in the UK the band is already very well known. In the rest of Europe they aren't that much present yet, but the new album might change this.

Founded in 2007, the four guys from Watford, released their first EP in 2008 before "Far Q", the band's debut, was published 1,5 years later.

In the meantime the band released four albums. Having been fully anchored in the postcore influences the band moved more towards alternative rock with their "Changing tune" record. Nomen est omen could have been the header at this time.

"Lower Than Atlantis" is the newest kid in town when it comes to the UK-based band. The album continues the journey away from postcore towards commercial rock music. It's especially the vocals from singer Mike Duce, that became far more melodic.

In general I have the feeling that the album is a bit too much pushed towards success. Songs like "Ain't no friend", "Word's don't come so easily" and "English kids in America" are in my opinion too much mainstream, in the senese of being irrelevant. Heavy tunes like "no belt" from "Far Q" are gone in its totality.

The second half of the album shows that Lower Than Atlantis can do better. "Stays the same" is a cool rocker, "Live slow, die old" has some crunchy guitar riffs. The same goes for "Damn nation". Still, things got very soft and catchy.

With their new album Lower Than Atalantis confirmed their new direction towards (alternative) rock. The old roots are pushed more and more into the background and I think that fans from the earlier days of the band will have a problem with this longplayer. For fans that can handle a more rocking version of Sting and Coldplay should give this album a chance.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Here we go
2. Ain't no friend
3. English kids in America
4. Criminal
5. Words don't come sp easily
6. Emily
7. Stays the same
8. Live slow, die old
9. Damn nation
10. Time
11. Just what you need
12. Number one

Label: Sony Music

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release date EU: Already released