More Southern Than a Redneck... 4/5
The Southern-Hardcore quintet from Exeter, Backhand Saloon, are defiantly a band to watch live (The Mike James Rockshow Presents...The Southwest Showcase) , with that energy being supplied in their latest EP “Crooks and Curses”. But when listening to the EP, admitting it did take a few listens to become familiar to it, and that’s when the party
starts…
It opens with the grand, anthemic twin guitar attack of “Curses”, which can easily be pictured in a soundtrack of a kickass action movie, with some impressive growling by vocalist Harry May pouring over it, which provides a smooth transition into the second track “Brinks Mat”. For me, the vocals do disagree with me, but that is soon overcome halfway through with riffs from guitarists Dan Hart and Conan Burke combined with the powerful drums and bass by Michael Lloyd and Steve Hosgood that give the feeling of wanting to mosh like an enraged gorilla within the confines of your bedroom (depends on where you are at the time). The strength of the band grows throughout the last two tracks of “Tempest” and “Diaster is my name”, with the pounding riffs and consistent drumming and the well placed breakdowns and growls that a miraculously not used as spontaneously as most mainstream bands today. If this is just what’s a taster to come, I expect the final result will be one of mind blowing proportions to hit the local music scene of today.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/BackhandSaloon
starts…
It opens with the grand, anthemic twin guitar attack of “Curses”, which can easily be pictured in a soundtrack of a kickass action movie, with some impressive growling by vocalist Harry May pouring over it, which provides a smooth transition into the second track “Brinks Mat”. For me, the vocals do disagree with me, but that is soon overcome halfway through with riffs from guitarists Dan Hart and Conan Burke combined with the powerful drums and bass by Michael Lloyd and Steve Hosgood that give the feeling of wanting to mosh like an enraged gorilla within the confines of your bedroom (depends on where you are at the time). The strength of the band grows throughout the last two tracks of “Tempest” and “Diaster is my name”, with the pounding riffs and consistent drumming and the well placed breakdowns and growls that a miraculously not used as spontaneously as most mainstream bands today. If this is just what’s a taster to come, I expect the final result will be one of mind blowing proportions to hit the local music scene of today.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/BackhandSaloon