Friday 30 May 2014

Light You Up: Broken Jaw EP (Review)

Light You Up a five piece Rock/Pop-Punk band from Birmingham, England.



This is their EP Broken Jaw

Firefox starts the EP with a soft but steady guitar riff slowly the other instruments join and it builds into something more. When I'm not typing my fingers are tapping to the beat and when they are my foot's tapping, it has one of those beats where I try and fail at air drumming. Tom's voice comes in, clear against the music that even for the first time listening I know the lyrics he's singing. Lyrically I love it, Play this broken record on your stereo and you'll never be alone there's something powerful in that, if I was brave (Or old enough for that matter) it's the sort of lyric I'd love to have as a tattoo. Production as well is very good, everything is clear and sharp, I can totally get lost within the song. I'd run out of fingers before I counted all the pop-punk bands I know, but Light You Up as put their on spin on it and taken a slightly more rock approach and I love it.

Broken Jaw
It's got a good catchy beat and the fact I have a laptop balanced on me isn't stopping me from trying to dance. Tom's vocals are loud and clear, I barely get a minute into it before I'm singing along too, the guitar solos through out the song are really good and show skill. It's always great to see a bit diversity in an EP like this, something a bit faster that I can imagine being a great live track.

Without You Here
Is a bit heavier, more of the rock showing.Tom shows a different side to his voice, one a bit of each to match the slightly heavier feel to the song. Lyrically just like every song so far they sink in really quickly and then they're in my head till I play the next song. They're the kind of lyrics that stick to you long after the last cords been played. Both Drew and Rob are belting out some amazing guitar riffs that could put my air guitar to shame. Joe's drums even getting their own little solo that adds something different. Each song on 'Broken Jaw' has it's own spin and style, the whole diversity through the record is fantastic and shows some true talent.

Lifebox
Another change of pace, Lifebox to starts acoustic with just guitar and vocals. It's a great chance to just listen to Tom's voice, there's no computers here you can really the rawness of his voice and the range this kid had talent and damn it shows. I love the mix of the acoustic with the full band, merging in and out of each other with beautiful ease. It's a very beautiful song, the lyrics packing their normal powerful punch to an already musically perfect song. I'll always be haunted by your dreams. 

Light It Up has created a truly unique EP, each song is different but amazing, showing a fantastic diversity and talent. If this is their first EP I can not wait to hear more of them.

Listen to 'Broken Jaw' here

Check out Light You Up's Facebook here

Friday 2 May 2014

Forging the Truth: Warriors (Review)

Today I have a band from Manorville in the state of New York. This is 5 piece Hard Rock/Metalcore/Metal Hardcose band Forging the Truth.



Forming two years ago in 2012 and after going through their far share of troubles and line up changes they're taking the Long Island scene by storm.

This is their song Warriors.

Before I even listened to the song, I was reading the description on YouTube and I learnt the song is dedicated to anyone who has/is suffer depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts. That the whole song was inspired by fans of the band telling them of their experiences and how the band has helped them. I love the whole idea of writing a song to the fans in this way, it's something I've not seen done many times before.

A faster piano starts the song before soon being joined by the drums, at first the song reminds me of Bring Me The Horizons Can You Feel My Heart. As it has that same mix of heavier guitar riffs played to a softer piano.
Musically the song covers all bases, drums have a great focus and I can always hear them, bass line has be tapping along at all times sometimes without even noticing I'm doing it and the guitar solo is just heaven! Vocally it's also very good, Andrew has a great range from strong, clear vocals to start to a heavier almost scream at the end.
My favourite aspect of the song are the lyrics. Lyrically this song's amazing, as I said previously inspired by stories from fans.Warriors is about being warriors against the pain, against everything standing in your way
The scars on your skin are kisses from angels
The pain wasn't enough to pull you from this hell
You've been kicked when you were down
You have screamed, but made no sound
And still you stand so tall
We can stand together, and call ourselves warriors


Altogether I think it's a really great song! If I had a check list of everything I was looking for in a song I could tick them all off here. I can't wait to hear more from Forging the Truth, and maybe one day they'll make it across the Atlantic! 

Listen to Warriors here

Check out Forging the Truths Facebook here