28 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Viices - Single Review: Sandcastle

26 Apr 2023 // A review by Steve Shyu
Today is the day Viices’s new song Sandcastle comes out! The band’s name has been around the live music circuits of Aotearoa for about eight years, under varying iterations of personnel, but the heart and soul of Viices remained. Currently a two-man show, having survived lockdowns and life-changes, the band have not let up at all, and today are fronting up with new tunes for the world.

Right here, right now it’s Sandcastle o’clock.

Starting things with some flirtatious strums of guitar chords and soft, relaxed vocals, the song doesn’t rest in the soft zone for long. Taking one by surprise, the tempo doubles, guitar distortion is dialled up to 10, and Geordie Badart’s punchy drumbeat ratchets the works into a new level.

The palm-muted guitar strokes gives everything a decent bit of oomph, with Jake McComb’s attitude-heavy vocals gaining charge as he goes.

Possibly a song directed at the megalomaniacs and false prophets we see in the media, there are some very pointed digs at what one could assume are irresponsible leaders:

I won’t look to you for answers, hollow luck or fantasy,

From the top of your sandcastle, if you look down will you see me?

One could surmise the lyrics are from the viewpoint of someone who’s disillusioned, and doubtful that a societal leader is capable of representing them.

Is this what you wanted to hear now? Empty words just as long they’re said loud

Now, arguably the highlight of Sandcastle is the build-up and breakdown. Thanks to some smart production work, there’s a slightly hidden layer of scream-vocals which help drive the energy levels through the roof. Then Jake’s guitar skills take over: Some crunchy guitar riffs counterbalanced with shrill high notes, accentuating the rhythm to really ensure listeners are banging their heads at the song’s peak.

This is good, honest alt-rock with a punk edge, chopped up with 2000’s metal sensibilities. Kind of like early [Shihad] fused with pop-punk, if you will. It has bark as well as bite thanks to the guitar-focused rhythms and the attitude-laden shout-along choruses, which should no doubt get plenty of heads bouncing and feet stomping on their upcoming North Island tour.

Speaking of which, why not go see Viices live in a town near you, and also give Sandcastle a whirl or two on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp and YouTube!

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Viices

Viices is an alt-rock duo based between Wellington and New Plymouth.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Viices

Releases

Double Denim
Year: 2020
Type: EP
Toxic
Year: 2017
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Steve Shyu

Gig Review: Homegrown 2024 @ Wellington Waterfront - 16/03/2024 Part 2
18 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
With nothing of last night's rainstorm in sight except puddles in the asphalt, the sun warmed the air to counter the day's cold breeze. There was plenty of talk of a cold snap on the way, but I was confident my tee and hoodie combo would suffice.
Read More...
EP Review: PHNX
11 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa, look out for a rising star on the horizon.Under his stage name PHNX, 18-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Phoenix Simpson has released his self-titled debut EP and it’s a gem.
Read More...
EP Review: Ben Ruegg
29 Feb 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Ben Ruegg is one of the most hard-working people I personally know. He's a Muzic.
Read More...
Bevan Mical - Album Review: Division & Difference
12 Dec 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Since 2017 Bevan Mical has been busy. Hailing from the small Waikato town of Turua, he’s now onto his fourth full-length album, this one entitled Division & Difference.
Read More...
Bulletbelt - Album Review: Burn It Up
28 Sep 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Though nobody can claim they know every Kiwi metal band to have ever existed, to know anything about heavy music in Aotearoa, the name Bulletbelt should at least ring a bell. To say their career thus far has been impressive is an understatement.
Read More...
Will McClean - Album Review: Don't Forget to Breathe
28 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Out of the underground hip-hop scene of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington comes Will McClean, who over the past handful of years has garnered accolades on his recorded music and performances. Having shared stages with Kiwi icons Troy Kingi, Che Fu and Diggy Dupé, Will seems determined to keep the momentum and create new releases.
Read More...
Album Review: The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill
21 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Following a string of acclaimed singles, Otautahi Christchurch Hip-Hop artists And$um and Lui Mills have released a brand new collaborative album of seven tracks named The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill. The two rap artists have been kicking around the Christchurch Hip-Hop scenes for years, and have put together this LP as a result of their longtime friendship.
Read More...
GZ - EP Review: The Story Behind the Realness
16 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Purportedly an artist with many pseudonyms, GZ is a rap artist active as a part of the Auckland hip-hop diaspora. Though safe to assume he’s had a considerable presence over the years under multiple stage names, I wasn’t able to unearth much in the way of artist info relating to GZ, except images of the man himself looking like a force to be reckoned with.
Read More...
View All Articles By Steve Shyu

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem