This record took me back to my childhood days when I would borrow punk and rock CDs and music video VHS tapes from our Youth Pastor. There is a heavy grunge sound present; at times, it’s reminiscent of classic Audio Adrenaline and Switchfoot tracks, even more so their secular contemporaries. The standout track on this release is “Y,” soon ripping into the first verse with a powerful guitar and vocal line. Closing the album we have a haunting duo; “Follow Me Anyway,” a slower almost-ballad of a song featuring female backing vocals, followed by the albums closer, “Zombieland,” a faster homage to hardcore punks (think about the essence of Hermosa Beach bands like Black Flag maintaining the grunge sound). Be aware, though. Some songs are lyrically edgy like, “Watch What You Wish For.” It may be a throwback sound, but they’ll need another album to mature before they’re considered a credible force.
Features
Forward Under a Dying Sun
Most of these days, the sun rises and sets on a world that feels like it's dying. Across the pond, where Employed to Serve calls home, they're learning how to support their latest record a year into its release. HM contributor Andrew Voigt recently sat down with Justine Jones to learn more about the band, marrying your bandmates, and their outside shot at touring with Rammstein.
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HM Magazine Turns 35
In 1985, Doug Van Pelt photocopied a letter-sized sheets of paper, bound them together, and handed them out in person on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. It's all digital now, but, along the way, Van Pelt stirred up quite a few waves, played some seriously heavy music, and made a few friends along the way. Here: A quick look back at the magazine's 35-year history with Van Pelt and new owner, David Stagg.
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Between the White Noise
My Epic's last full-length album came out in 2013; despite a number of EPs along the way, the band's dedication to their craft, lyrical approach, and unyielding approach to let the music come naturally has made them critical darlings. Now, they're learning to interact and feed a rabid fanbase in between albums and in a new normal.
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Hope Through the Loss
Idle Threat's latest EP, 'Nothing is Broken for Good,' paints a serendipitous picture of what comes from hope in the future: 'The record is definitely about loss and hope through that loss.'
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