Hesters Way - Cold
Blooded EP
This
is big, f*ck-off ROCK. That much is immediately clear as Tank
Destroyer blows the first hole in Cold Blooded's odd
title - on the contrary, Hesters Way have an imperiously confident,
take-no-b*llocks intensity which burns the veins. Fuzzy guitars wash
all over each other through yearning verses, sparking into
breakdowns of conflicting electricity. The drumming is more
functional than flamboyant, although a blast of speed-punk toms in
the expansive outro provides some variety. And Olly Roylance's
precise timekeeping allows the three roaring axes maximum space to
envelop the senses.
The most obvious reference point
seems to be Thrice, who's astoundingly good The Alchemy Index Vol: 1
saw them shatter the tired, teen America emo they had previously
been responsible for with a huge alternative rock record,
encompassing hardcore, metal, and melody. Hesters Way plot a similar
route, but The Movement actually leans Pantera-like thrash,
albeit softened and honed into something more akin to the subtle
metallic carnage of Soundgarden. Hesters Way are not afraid of
swaggeringly catchy riffs, but they are only briefly aired, before
another idea tears its way into the space.
The Suffering's signature
guitar motif almost recalls Blue Oyster Cult, but the song sounds
like a galloping, more muscular Alexisonfire, and most certainly
does fear the reaper. Closer Known Hate is shiny, thudding,
dynamic, and seemingly optimistic. Chris Taylor drags his vocal
chords tunefully across the mic and around the room, the effect
pleasingly…well, affecting.
If Cold Blooded has one major
downfall it's the brainache which results from production which is
too consistently loud. While this might be necessary to sustain its
ear-frazzling power, it means that four long tracks elasticates the
patience. Silence sounds beautiful afterwards.
But that should barely detract from
a band with ambition and vision who have the talent and inspiration
to reach the lofty heights they set themselves.
Reviewed By:
Rich Partington
