20til8
We featured 20til8 a while back and loved what we heard, so when they offered us an exclusive chance to hear their new album, It’s About Time, we jumped at the chance to check it out. The guys in 20til8 have been solid supporters of Loud-Stuff over the last year, and their music has always been something which I’ve gone back to time and time again, so couple this with their track Pain being featured on our latest compilation – and I was looking forward to hearing the album!
Your Loss opens in true 20til8 style, not holding back and instead, launching straight into a melee of all out power, distorted guitar lines and powerful backing rhythms. Layering the vocals over the backing mix so that every single element of the track can be heard, you’re presented with a track which harks to the likes of Mastadon but with the malice and venom of the likes of Devil Driver, all combined with the riffage of My Wylde or similar – in short providing an opening to an album which will sit you on your ass and make you listen. PunchBowl raises this bar even higher, this time throwing down into a mix of rolling drums and intricate guitar work from the off. The powerful backing combined with the intricate front levels of the track forms a mix which once again grabs you by the throat and gives you no option but to join in. Alternating the vocals between roaring and spoken word adds a further dimension to this track, resulting in another track which is testament to these guys ability to write music.
Leading into my own personal favourite track, Pain, the upbeat, aggressive tone continues, once again launching into a riff fuelled melee of drumming, distorted guitars, roving bass and roaring vocals. This track stood out to me from the moment I first heard it, coming across as the sort of thing which is going to absolutely destroy on the live scene and get audiences whipped into a frenzy. The same can be said for Soldiers Lament, once again opening with some rolling drums and intricate guitar work, somehow creating a sense of war through the music before crafting another track which is quite simply brutal. Powerful drums bash around with hammering guitar tones, the whole mix forming a sound which is heavy, somehow funky and at the same time, accessible and relatively easy to listen to. That said, the emotional side to this track is clear throughout, the lyrics telling a story from the word go and drawing you in to pay more attention.
Sins Of The Father comes a close second in my own ranking of this album, showing that there’s a slower and sludgier side to the band as the rough and distorted guitars take over the mix. There’s also a supreme amount of skill on show on this track, alternating between relatively straight forward and syncopated, adding a further element of depth to the track and keeping things alive and interesting. Down on the other hand is an all out assault on your ear drums, opening fast and hammering into a track which borders on Hatebreed territory. Groove orientated once again, this is another track which has been crafted for the live scene and is sure to get live crowds going mental along with the band. It’s almost a shock then when Factory Reset comes into being, sounding far lighter initially but growing into yet another track which stands out on this record. Showing that there’s a seriously heavy edge within the band just waiting to be unleashed, this track may well have started soft but it soon becomes another triumph of distortion, resulting in a track which is going to once again make you sit back and just think wow.
Leading into Anthem the heavy approach doesn’t go away, this time grabbing you by the eyeballs and throwing you straight into a pit of all out power, destruction and aggression. Soaring guitar lines, roving basslines and more of those rough and raw vocals, this is a track which would be perfect for a festival, it’s got the varied pace which keeps the pits going and makes people want to hear more. Caterpillar Stomp (awesome name) once again shows off the sludgier tendencies of the band, initially opening sounding akin to doom or stoner metal but soon picking up the pace and getting those pits going once again. This is one of the more ‘off piste’ tracks on the album, somehow sounding like a strange interlude to see you through to the end, but even then it’s a track which few bands I’ve come across would attempt on a record, it’s a brave move but they’ve pulled it off.
Closing with One Voice One Scene there’s a complete change of perspective, this time launching off with an almost nu-metal style approach and almost spitting the words out over the heavy backing music. Personally, I really like this final track as it shows another side to the band, showing they’re capable of producing music which doesn’t have to stick within one clear boundary, instead keeping their sound fresh and able to move into different genres yet making it work at the same time.
Once again I’ve been struck by 20til8 and their approach to music, mainly because this album is full to the brim with moments which make you sit up and take note. It’s impossible to put this into a specific pigeon hole as their music ranges between different genres and different ideas, yet there still seems to be cohesive message throughout the album. Heavy, raw and lacking in production, this is what a band sound like when it’s them that are doing the work rather than a studio working for them – and it’s awesome to hear.
To find out more about 20til8, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Your Loss opens in true 20til8 style, not holding back and instead, launching straight into a melee of all out power, distorted guitar lines and powerful backing rhythms. Layering the vocals over the backing mix so that every single element of the track can be heard, you’re presented with a track which harks to the likes of Mastadon but with the malice and venom of the likes of Devil Driver, all combined with the riffage of My Wylde or similar – in short providing an opening to an album which will sit you on your ass and make you listen. PunchBowl raises this bar even higher, this time throwing down into a mix of rolling drums and intricate guitar work from the off. The powerful backing combined with the intricate front levels of the track forms a mix which once again grabs you by the throat and gives you no option but to join in. Alternating the vocals between roaring and spoken word adds a further dimension to this track, resulting in another track which is testament to these guys ability to write music.
Leading into my own personal favourite track, Pain, the upbeat, aggressive tone continues, once again launching into a riff fuelled melee of drumming, distorted guitars, roving bass and roaring vocals. This track stood out to me from the moment I first heard it, coming across as the sort of thing which is going to absolutely destroy on the live scene and get audiences whipped into a frenzy. The same can be said for Soldiers Lament, once again opening with some rolling drums and intricate guitar work, somehow creating a sense of war through the music before crafting another track which is quite simply brutal. Powerful drums bash around with hammering guitar tones, the whole mix forming a sound which is heavy, somehow funky and at the same time, accessible and relatively easy to listen to. That said, the emotional side to this track is clear throughout, the lyrics telling a story from the word go and drawing you in to pay more attention.
Sins Of The Father comes a close second in my own ranking of this album, showing that there’s a slower and sludgier side to the band as the rough and distorted guitars take over the mix. There’s also a supreme amount of skill on show on this track, alternating between relatively straight forward and syncopated, adding a further element of depth to the track and keeping things alive and interesting. Down on the other hand is an all out assault on your ear drums, opening fast and hammering into a track which borders on Hatebreed territory. Groove orientated once again, this is another track which has been crafted for the live scene and is sure to get live crowds going mental along with the band. It’s almost a shock then when Factory Reset comes into being, sounding far lighter initially but growing into yet another track which stands out on this record. Showing that there’s a seriously heavy edge within the band just waiting to be unleashed, this track may well have started soft but it soon becomes another triumph of distortion, resulting in a track which is going to once again make you sit back and just think wow.
Leading into Anthem the heavy approach doesn’t go away, this time grabbing you by the eyeballs and throwing you straight into a pit of all out power, destruction and aggression. Soaring guitar lines, roving basslines and more of those rough and raw vocals, this is a track which would be perfect for a festival, it’s got the varied pace which keeps the pits going and makes people want to hear more. Caterpillar Stomp (awesome name) once again shows off the sludgier tendencies of the band, initially opening sounding akin to doom or stoner metal but soon picking up the pace and getting those pits going once again. This is one of the more ‘off piste’ tracks on the album, somehow sounding like a strange interlude to see you through to the end, but even then it’s a track which few bands I’ve come across would attempt on a record, it’s a brave move but they’ve pulled it off.
Closing with One Voice One Scene there’s a complete change of perspective, this time launching off with an almost nu-metal style approach and almost spitting the words out over the heavy backing music. Personally, I really like this final track as it shows another side to the band, showing they’re capable of producing music which doesn’t have to stick within one clear boundary, instead keeping their sound fresh and able to move into different genres yet making it work at the same time.
Once again I’ve been struck by 20til8 and their approach to music, mainly because this album is full to the brim with moments which make you sit up and take note. It’s impossible to put this into a specific pigeon hole as their music ranges between different genres and different ideas, yet there still seems to be cohesive message throughout the album. Heavy, raw and lacking in production, this is what a band sound like when it’s them that are doing the work rather than a studio working for them – and it’s awesome to hear.
To find out more about 20til8, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
20til8
20til8 are a Heavy Metal band hailing from the States. They got in contact with us here at Loud-Stuff, so I took a look at their Facebook page and indulged myself at the four tracks they had on offer. Not only was it heavy, it was damn right spine tingling.
Caterpillar Stomp was the first track I came to, looking at the bands pics, I noticed all four guys are total units, so I figured, big guys = big voices, my god did they deliver. Straight off you're thrust into a dark tunnel of emotion, despite it being a very short track, the heavy rolling drums beat deep, almost shaking the seat you're sat in, the simple but mind numbing guitar hits you with a force not unlike that of a freight train and to top it off the vocals roar with real gusto. Now that’s what I call an opening track.
Track two is called pain, it starts fast paced, basically halfway to take off, carrying on when the last track finished, the thunderous drums forcing you back into your seat, as if you would dare get up. The guitar riffs are full on and mean, beating the air out of your lungs with relentless force, vocals flood the air like a roman general preparing soldiers for battle. There is everything you need for a heavy metal track right here and you aren't disappointed.
Down is track three, things get slightly slower in this track and I was impressed how the guys can still make it work, don’t get me wrong we aren’t talking power ballad slow but you can appreciate the talents of the guys and find yourself throwing your head around to the beat. What I liked the most was how simple it was, basic drum beat, pure vocals with a little bit of individual class on guitar. To me it shows the band can offer a little bit of variation, rather than be a bog standard heavy metal outfit.
Final track is called PunchBowl, personally this is my favourite track, there are 2 or 3 different layers which confirmed that 20til8 aren't giving themselves enough credit and are more than just a heavy metal band. The track starts with a frantic guitar, ravaging chords for fun, the tempo is frenetic. It slows down adding another dimension to the track. Adding the usual heavy nature to the slowed tempo creates a different side to the band that you don’t see in the other tracks.
If I’m totally honest 20til8 aren't the usual type of band id listen to but I genuinely liked the stuff produced and would love to hear more of their stuff, top effort!
To find out more about 20til8, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Caterpillar Stomp was the first track I came to, looking at the bands pics, I noticed all four guys are total units, so I figured, big guys = big voices, my god did they deliver. Straight off you're thrust into a dark tunnel of emotion, despite it being a very short track, the heavy rolling drums beat deep, almost shaking the seat you're sat in, the simple but mind numbing guitar hits you with a force not unlike that of a freight train and to top it off the vocals roar with real gusto. Now that’s what I call an opening track.
Track two is called pain, it starts fast paced, basically halfway to take off, carrying on when the last track finished, the thunderous drums forcing you back into your seat, as if you would dare get up. The guitar riffs are full on and mean, beating the air out of your lungs with relentless force, vocals flood the air like a roman general preparing soldiers for battle. There is everything you need for a heavy metal track right here and you aren't disappointed.
Down is track three, things get slightly slower in this track and I was impressed how the guys can still make it work, don’t get me wrong we aren’t talking power ballad slow but you can appreciate the talents of the guys and find yourself throwing your head around to the beat. What I liked the most was how simple it was, basic drum beat, pure vocals with a little bit of individual class on guitar. To me it shows the band can offer a little bit of variation, rather than be a bog standard heavy metal outfit.
Final track is called PunchBowl, personally this is my favourite track, there are 2 or 3 different layers which confirmed that 20til8 aren't giving themselves enough credit and are more than just a heavy metal band. The track starts with a frantic guitar, ravaging chords for fun, the tempo is frenetic. It slows down adding another dimension to the track. Adding the usual heavy nature to the slowed tempo creates a different side to the band that you don’t see in the other tracks.
If I’m totally honest 20til8 aren't the usual type of band id listen to but I genuinely liked the stuff produced and would love to hear more of their stuff, top effort!
To find out more about 20til8, check out their Facebook page HERE.
