Feed the Rhino are an intriguing
beast, their place in UK hardcore a respectable and irreplaceable one at this
time in 2012. Their second album, ‘The Burning Sons’, is released though In At
The Deep End Records (a reputable label for punk and metal) on the back of a
huge tour with This Is Hell, and it’s more than a satisfactory follow up to the
band’s debut album ‘Mr Red Eye’. The band seem to appear on more festival bills
than I’ve had hot dinners this year, and it’s with an arsenal of tracks that
appear on this album that you can see why, as they’re guaranteed to pull the
punters towards any stage they set foot on.
‘The Burning Sons’ is an album of
gutsy, stripped down heavy music with a mind blowing edge that pushes the
boundaries of what makes Feed the Rhino one of the most exciting bands to have
emerged in the last few years. The record charges hard from the get-go, with
opening song ‘Flood The System’ channelling a hardcore sound that showcases
both the talent and intentions of the band. Rapid riffing screamed vocals and a
tight rhythm section makes this song an enjoyably intense experience. ‘Nothing
Lost’ continues the assault, and the song is sharp and memorable, sticking in
your head like a cleaver.
Title track ‘The Burning Sons’
builds with considerable purpose, chaotic guitars bursting with energy and
harsh vocals delivered with style. Melody appears in rarity, but when it does,
it works well. Guitars work overtime to add a groove to the proceedings, and
it’s a track that is drenched in modern British hardcore passion. ‘I Am The
Curse, I Am The Cure’ is fine-tuned power delivered like a massive battering
ram. The guitar work is venomous and differing with distinct shifts from verse
to chorus. ‘Kings of Grand Delusion’ is a real throw back to ‘Mr Red Eye’, the
song being a real game of two halves, with furious intense punk giving way to
calm, before those delicate melodies build into a tornado of noise.
‘Song Of Failure’ is a straight
forward punch to the gut, guitars wailing as screams bludgeon,
a wall of sound being created that refuses to budge. ‘Razor’ is a definite
stand-out track, the instrumentals stripped back and reserved. It has a blues
rock feel, a complete difference to the usual Feed the Rhino sound. Clean
vocals are an absolute delight, and this song is a real curveball from the
band. It showcases the song writing prowess of the group and confirms musical
influences away from hardcore and punk.
‘Left For Ruins’ starts with disjointed
pianos, and this lead single from the album gets going with a slow groove. The
song is incredibly heavy, a pairing of big hooks giving it a radio friendly
feel that no doubt spells looming success for the band. In essence, this is a great
example of what the band can achieve. ‘Fountains’ is balls out heaviness, again
drenched in blues rock and roll cool. It’s a furious and unique song, an extra
emphasis on song structure and convincing melodies. ‘Death of the Swine’ is an
out of control and rip-roaring punk track, promoting intense energy and
bellowing shouts.
‘Tides’ slows the pace as pianos
soothe the fallout of the previous track. Clean vocals create wonderful
atmosphere and as the track builds to eruption, venomous guitars and thunderous
drums take the reins. ’The Compass’ is a fitting end, the anger of everything
that has come before it streamlined into a few minutes of heavy bliss.
Feed the Rhino are a band to
watch over the next few years, because if this album is anything to go by, the UK
hardcore scene is about to become an intense place in the near future.
No comments:
Post a Comment