and energy of hardcore; Stand Alone have produced an eclectic record that is pumped with angry vocals from front man Steve Kerr and a tempo roller coaster of pure noise.’
I can’t wait. I’m only being half-sarcastic here.
The critique: Fair play to these guys for putting it out there and believing in themselves. But then, a lot of bands are shunning the conventional route of manager / label / PR these days, through choice or necessity. The industry is a closed door to many, and while some will say unsigned bands are unsigned for a reason, namely that they’re crap, the conservatism that’s rife in the old model exposes this as a fallacy.
Across the six tracks on offer here, the London five-piece combine raw-throated vocals and terrace chant backing vox and clean melodies with monster chugging rhythm guitars and jangling, technical lead guitars, and a thunderous rhythm section. With the high-octane, fast-tempo ferocity dominating, the EP is angry and energetic, with metamorphic ‘Strike An Old Pose’ being a real standout, by turns dense and fierce, expansive and melodic. If they don’t get picked up by a label before long, I’d be amazed. Meanwhile, it’s good to see they’re doing things on their own terms.
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Stand Alone Online
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