Last month saw the gig of the year, Third Time Lucky, which was organised and headlined by Written By Wolves. I had seen every band on the bill play prior to that night except for openers Stacked who were brand new to me and to many in the audience. I asked Mikey who they were and why they were on the bill, and he told me he had approached Smokefree Rockquest to find a band to showcase, and this was who they recommended. It turned out they had made it to the national finals for two consecutive years and won the Tamaki Makaurau People's Choice Award in 2021 and had also been organising their own all ages gigs. Everyone was impressed that night, and I am sure that anyone into melodic hardcore will grab this and ask the question everyone keeps asking, are they really that young?

This EP is comprised of songs written a few years ago when the guys were 17 and comprises both of their recent three-track EP’s as well as a re-recording of their debut single. Remain, from the beginning of last year, giving us 7 tracks with a total length of 20 minutes. Comprising Tyler Jamieson on vocals, Aidan Wright and Benji Perez on guitars, Connor McNab on bass, Alasdair Miller on drums, they have a somewhat unusual approach in that in many ways it sounds as if they are producing a music sandwich, with Tyler on one side, Alasdair on the other, with the rest of the guys going hell for leather in the middle. Of all the musicians that night, the one which surprised me most was Alasdair as he appeared determined to wreck Karl’s kit before anyone had the chance to play it, as not only was he an octopus driving different rhythms and styles, but he was also hitting it incredibly hard. There is so much going on at the back that it makes sense for the bass to link in with the guitars to provide additional depth to the melody so there is plenty of room for everyone to be heard. Then at the front we have a singer who does not sound as if he is only just old enough to drink but comes across as if he has been doing this for many years. All the guys sound like seasoned pros, and one can hear why they have been picked up by the label as they have the chops and songs to back up their confidence, and I am sure that with next year (hopefully) being back to normal in terms of gigs all year, then we are going to be hearing a lot more from these guys.

Controlled yet aggressive, dissonant at times yet melodic, straight ahead but complex, this EP demonstrates the depth that can be heard within melodic hardcore and is certainly worthy of investigation by lovers of the genre. Play loud.

• 1
  Anxiety Club
• 2
  Devilskin
• 3
  Coridian
• 4
  Take Hold
• 5
  Skinny Hobos
• 6
  Shihad
• 7
  L.A.B.
• 8
  Head Like A Hole
• 9
  Villainy
• 10
  Katchafire

• 
  Muroki @ Galatos, Auckland - 19/04/2024
• 
  Dougfest Junior @ Big Fan, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  When The Cats Away @ Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington - 21/04/2024
• 
  Luke Buda @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024

• 1
  FORTNIGHT
  Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone
• 2
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 3
  DOWN BAD
  Taylor Swift
• 4
  THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
  Taylor Swift
• 5
  SO LONG, LONDON
  Taylor Swift
• 6
  I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART
  Taylor Swift
• 7
  MY BOY ONLY BREAKS HIS FAVORITE TOYS
  Taylor Swift
• 8
  BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM
  Taylor Swift
• 9
  FLORIDA!!!
  Taylor Swift feat. Florence And The Machine
• 10
  WHO'S AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME?
  Taylor Swift

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