Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Loyalist - "Train Tracks EP" Review


Loyalist - Train Tracks EP

 So for my first review, i had to make sure that i did something BIG, and something AWESOME! So i decided to kick it off with a bang, by reviewing the Wonderful, brand new EP released by Toronto's "Loyalist", entitled "Train Tracks". 

 First, i just want to give a quik introduction to how i first found out about them, and my first experience with them. I had first come across Loyalist, on YouTube, while stumbling around, i came across their guitar play-through for their first single "Normandy" and was simply amazed! Shortly after discovering they were then from Toronto (not to far from me) i started talking with their lead guitar player, Connor Robinson, and was informed they were still looking for a vocalist. Slightly upset that they were not show ready yet (I couldn't book them yet), I waited patiently for them to get a vocalist. Not much longer they released another single "Discover" with a music video, showing the whole band at this time, Drummer, Glenn McGlue, rythm guitar player Adrian hawryschuk, Connor their bass player, Flavio Branco, who was singing the chorus of the song. But they still didn't have any Main vocals. Not to long after that, they released the GREAT news of now having 2 front men,  Mike Cutway, and Jack Balaga! They were now set!  I booked them first chance i had, Dec 21st 2012, my "End of The World" show, with 9 bands, @ The Brunswick Tavern, In St.Thomas. They took the stage, and everyone was blown away!! Great stage presence, and attitude that kept up with the crazy guitar skills, and tight drum beats! FINALLY, I HAD HEARD THEM WITH THEIR VOCALISTS!!! A guy opens his door and gets shot, you think that of Loyalist? No, They are the ones who knock!!



 So, on April 5th, 2013, their EP "Train Tracks" is released.


 The Ep starts off with self titled song "Train Tracks". Starts with some warming ambient sounds, leading right into a heavy guitar riff,with solid double kicks complementing the riff very nicely! It doesn't take long before some crazy guitar licks are thrown in your face, put with a surprisingly melodic feel! The song seems to slow down with the slower drum beat, but that solid melodic guitar riff keeps it speed and keeps you headbanging, while appreciating a wicked guitar riff! There is still some chuggy chuggs to keep the heavy, but they never rely on it, (and they ussualy have lead over top of it lol). A lot of the heaviness comes from the drums and the vocals spitting back and forth, and the bass supporting all the interesting, guitar work, not leaving much time to recover from the heavy assault! A few things ensure this was the perfect opening song, the ambient intro, the perfect speed - heavy ratio, and the "epicness" created in the process of keeping it melodic, at the SAME time. Climactic ending to say the least. 

 Song #2, "Normandy". So like i had mentioned earlier, they released a guitar play-through for this song, as their first single. So i had known the song for SOME time, and had NEEDED to hear it with vocals!!!! The song starts off with some slamming powerful chords, producing a really cool melody, one you can NOT stop your self to bob along, or dance along to! In enters the vocals, in the most precise patterns! The song slows down, but only for a few seconds, JUST long enough for a little mellow guitar tapp/slide riff, before bring it right back to heavy guitar riffs and and back and forth attacks from the vocals, again all vocal patterns so precise. With the support of a really bridge, they lead into a chorus, with clean vocals done, by their bass player, with supporting screams, coming in afterwards. During the chorus, i always feel so locked into the song, the lead guitar plays plays a nice progressive, melodic riff, while keeping in perfect harmony with the heavy pounding rhythm and hard smashing drums,with the perfect symmetry of vocals on top, like i said, you can't help but bob your head! The song continues to escalate, to an in your face breakdown, that is quickly brought back to life by a really powerful, moving guitar solo, that gets you groov'n! The song never dies down, and always has your attention. The crazy melodic guitar work and the heavy as balls drums, support some of the most memorable lyrics, and quickly became stuck on repeat on my itunes!!!

 Song #3 is the other song they released as single, with am music video. "Discover". They Had released re-released Discover before the release of the Ep, With vocals on it, renaming it to "(re)Discover". So i had already been quite familiar with e track, as it was all i had to listen to for so long, as i awaited the release of the ep. Starts off a lot slower then the previous 2 tracks, however keeps the melodic, rhythmic riffs, while a very progressive guitar solo leads us, into a more progressive section of the song. a sudden cut of guitars leaves clean vocals and cool bass work, leading you to think its going to be a ballad, but its only a moment or two, before the guitars slam back in, on-Que with drums. With the guitars, comes back the heavy screams, with the clean vocals breaking through, really adding a new dimension not seen yet. We get a short little breakdown that comes quickly the clean vocals follow over top of the breakdown, a scream is held and  comes in from behind the cleans, over top of the breakdown and fades into some hard hitting guitar riffs  supported perfectly by the double kick patterns. Behind the vocals the guitars switch to a really interesting off beat chugging pattern to tremolo riff then cool bend, second time it repeats, there is a wicked lead guitar lick over top of it, then suddenly the song ends, but ever so perfectly. 

 song #4 kicks off really fast, with fast double kicks and mellow, tremolo guitar/bass riff, with some heavy and perfectly placed snare/tom/ crash hits, all with a nice ambient sound flowing really nicely, in the back ground. Fits nice, as the track is titles "Oceans" and this song really flows! Every riff seems absolutely perfectly placed, and like there was no better way to go! All the signature keys, the progression, and heavy hitting melodic riffs, with the Heavy attacks from the vocals. Another really moving guitar solo approaches us, leading us into one HELLUVA heavy breakdown!!! Definitely the heaviest thing yet on the Ep, this breakdown will have you splitting heads in the mosh pit, and throwing down in your bedroom! ...Wait the song is over? lol the song ends EVEN MORE abruptly then the last track, it literally just stops, but FUCK that was heavy!!

 Song #5 is the last song on the Ep, entitled "Perspectives", and you can really tell they didn't want to leave anything behind! This song hits off the heaviest yet, right into it, after a cool sounded "effected guitar" with volume swells. EVERY note in your face, the drums and guitar work REALLY benefit from each other! From heavy progressive riffs, then climax at heavy bone crushing chugg patterns. The song missions on continuing to be demolishing, but they always come right back into a cool melodic guitar riff, that just GRABS a hold of your soul! in this case, a really mellow guitar solo stands out over top, of a really harmonic, rhythm section, that grabs you, and its good thing it does, because the song then spirals down into another heavy, progressive riff, with every note hitting ever so hard, Complemented perfectly by the drums, and some awesome back and forth guitar work. Another guitar breaks in as the rhythm guitar starts to progress, and we are left with a really epic, melodic, soothing, lead back into one of the previous heavier riff which comes to an abrupt end, leaving you thinking the song is over, BUT then out of no where a hard hitting breakdown comes out of no where, leaving you with nothing to do but destroy anything, and everything near you. What a great end to an Ep.

 So all in all, this Ep is absolutely great! I had HUGE expectations for it to live up to, after waiting so long, and seeing them KILL it live, before finally getting a chance to listen, and go over the recorded tracks, and they killed it, its all so brilliant. Everything complimented everything so perfectly. The Vocals patterns are perfectly, and precisely placed, and there their guitar work REALLY keeps you interested as you listen and groove to this ep, its all ways different yet along the same lines, ALWAYS intriguing, and has some really memorable lyrics that will have you will have stuck in your head for days to come! I suggest anyone into epic, progressive, melodic metal core to Download, and pick up this Ep, as well as go check them out and show them some love on facebook, and at a local venue near you! They are quite an awesome band, and really are a treat to see live! They will quikely become one of your favourite bands aswell! 


Feel free to message me, or comment and tell me what YOU think of Loyalist, and their ep "Train Tracks"! Also Follow me for more reviews


Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Loyalistband?fref=ts
Bandcamp: http://loyalist.bandcamp.com/album/train-tracks-ep
Youtube:    http://www.youtube.com/user/Loyalistband



Hello!

 Hello!

 So before getting down to the nitty gritty, thought i should speak a little bit about myself. I Run "Almighty Promotions" and book shows (of the Metal/Hardcore persuasion) in St.Thomas, Ontario, at a bar called The Brunswick Tavern. I Have also booked a show in Hamilton, Ontario, and hopping to book shows there more often as well. In this line of work i have been in, for almost 1 year now, i have come across A LOT of bands that have not only become great friends, but some of my Favorite bands! Since i Encounter SO many bands, on a daily bases, i decided i would start to review some EP's/Cd's, Bands, and possibly even some of my shows!! I will also post pictures from my shows, and let you know about shows upcoming! Please check out my Facebook book page as well, and make sure to "LIKE" it, to stay up to date with absolutely everything i do!!

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