Cry Havoc - NEW EP!
So we featured Cry Havoc a while back, and at the time I remember sitting back and thinking there was a hell of a lot that was good about their music, and that I wanted to hear a lot more. Then recently, we were sent through 4 new tracks to check out, so I finally had the chance to hear what else they had on offer. Jumping at the chance to check them out, I hit play and sat back to see what was going on!
Opening with Losing Everything it’s good to hear that nothing’s changed and the power of the band is still what I remember hearing! Funky and powerful guitar lines drive the opening moments of the track before ushering in a rolling double bass melee, the whole track forming into something which is powerful, heavy, fast and the sort of thing which is going to get crowds moving from the front to the back. Raspy and gravelly vocals come into take the lead and the track adopts its full form, throwing out a sound which is heavy, fast and downright dirty. This is the pure definition of metal, the sort of sound which is going to get pits moving, fists pumping, and a feeling that nothing matters but the sound you’re hearing at that exact moment. Ignition follows the same sort of approach, once again thrusting their sound upon you and forcing a sound down your throat that’s impossible to resist, it’s the sort of sound that your inner soul is craving. Harking towards the old school metal sounds of GnR and similar in the guitar work, all comparisons are blown out of the water before long and the track adopts a sound which is quite simply that of Cry Havoc. If you listen to one track from these guys then make it this one – you’ll be hooked from the word go.
Moving on to Alone and everything seems to fade back for a moment, opening with a rhythm combination to set things in motion and suggesting that sometimes, the simpler approach can be just as effective. Not sticking to this for too long, once again we’re soon thrown back into the rolling pit of aggression and power, the guys hammering out another track full to the brim with rolling drums, pounding guitar lines, rumbling bass and those awesome vocals. Building to the crescendo of the track, we’re soon upon the last of the four tracks in the form of New Life, a track which seems to mark a change in the sound of the tracks. Softer as it opens, the focus moves from raw power to an edge of melody, gradually building into the track over an acoustic guitar lines before once again building up to that almighty power. Not allowing any sense of safety to creep too far in, this final track from the selection closes things on a high, leaving on a funky and powerful note, leaving no doubt in your mind that Cry Havoc are here, and they’re about to take over.
I liked Cry Havoc the first time I heard them, but these four tracks are a whole new level of things in my eyes. At times I found myself thinking of Pantera, at other times Guns N Roses, but all the time knowing that it was Cry Havoc thanks to their unique sound and ability to create music. If you’re looking for a new band to discover to listen to constantly then you won’t go far wrong here, welcome Cry Havoc, please make more music soon!
To find out more about Cry Havoc, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Losing Everything it’s good to hear that nothing’s changed and the power of the band is still what I remember hearing! Funky and powerful guitar lines drive the opening moments of the track before ushering in a rolling double bass melee, the whole track forming into something which is powerful, heavy, fast and the sort of thing which is going to get crowds moving from the front to the back. Raspy and gravelly vocals come into take the lead and the track adopts its full form, throwing out a sound which is heavy, fast and downright dirty. This is the pure definition of metal, the sort of sound which is going to get pits moving, fists pumping, and a feeling that nothing matters but the sound you’re hearing at that exact moment. Ignition follows the same sort of approach, once again thrusting their sound upon you and forcing a sound down your throat that’s impossible to resist, it’s the sort of sound that your inner soul is craving. Harking towards the old school metal sounds of GnR and similar in the guitar work, all comparisons are blown out of the water before long and the track adopts a sound which is quite simply that of Cry Havoc. If you listen to one track from these guys then make it this one – you’ll be hooked from the word go.
Moving on to Alone and everything seems to fade back for a moment, opening with a rhythm combination to set things in motion and suggesting that sometimes, the simpler approach can be just as effective. Not sticking to this for too long, once again we’re soon thrown back into the rolling pit of aggression and power, the guys hammering out another track full to the brim with rolling drums, pounding guitar lines, rumbling bass and those awesome vocals. Building to the crescendo of the track, we’re soon upon the last of the four tracks in the form of New Life, a track which seems to mark a change in the sound of the tracks. Softer as it opens, the focus moves from raw power to an edge of melody, gradually building into the track over an acoustic guitar lines before once again building up to that almighty power. Not allowing any sense of safety to creep too far in, this final track from the selection closes things on a high, leaving on a funky and powerful note, leaving no doubt in your mind that Cry Havoc are here, and they’re about to take over.
I liked Cry Havoc the first time I heard them, but these four tracks are a whole new level of things in my eyes. At times I found myself thinking of Pantera, at other times Guns N Roses, but all the time knowing that it was Cry Havoc thanks to their unique sound and ability to create music. If you’re looking for a new band to discover to listen to constantly then you won’t go far wrong here, welcome Cry Havoc, please make more music soon!
To find out more about Cry Havoc, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Cry Havoc
Mixing classic rock with thrash metal and apparently spreading it like herpes on a tour bus, Cry Havoc from Exeter are here to stay, Citing influences such as Metallica, Guns N Roses and Skid Row, these guys sound like a band everyone should hear!
As soon as Kickin’ It In The Teeth opens you can see these influences in action, this is downright dirty rock music! Sounding like 80’s power metal combined with some funk and a dash of metal, this track will have you moving along in time with it whether you do it willingly or not. Driven by sludgy guitars and a slamming drum beat under the screeching vocal line, this is a track for the rock fan, you’ll love it! What makes it even better though is that it leads in to Talk Is Cheap, another example of pure downright dirty rock and roll underpinned by a funky guitar line and a pounding beat. This is music you’ll want to crank up, have a beer to and annoy everyone in the neighbourhood with!
Ignition follows on in much the same style, continuing to add more of those dirty guitar licks to the tracks to keep them moving. The drums here take on a more frantic approach before once again breaking down into a Guns N Roses-esque beat for the main verse of the track. Sludgy throughout, this is another track which will have crowds moving along to it as well as chanting along to ‘Ignition to Addiction’! By the time Get Outta Town kicks in I’m already feeling a little breathless from these guys, and that’s just sitting at home listening to it. Again this track is more frantic than the others before it, building up to that funky break again as the vocals kick in. Remaining fast throughout, this is surely a winner on the live scene! Sounding almost GWAR like at times (That’s a compliment before anyone jumps at me!), this is a track which will generate fans – it’s accessible and catchy whilst staying true to its roots.
No Escape opens with chopper noises accompanied by morse code before fading in the bass line and guitars, keeping things simple here is a winner for sure as it helps the track build up. Soon enough though we’re back on that dirty and sludgy track running side by side with the band as they tear through the track. Finally though, as New Life kicks in, we’re granted a reprise and a rest. Opening slower, the track builds through picked guitars and soft drums alongside those raspy vocals again. Suddenly though, once again you’re thrown back into the pit as that driving force kicks in, raspy, heavy, funky, dirty – it’s all right there in the mix.
I didn’t know what to expect from Cry Havoc, normally when a band says they’re influenced by someone like Skid Row the product is horrific, but these guys have made it work. I think it’s the originality of it all which makes it sound so fresh whilst still sounding like something you’ve heard before – it’s a winning combination which I’m looking forward to hearing more of.
To find out more about Cry Havoc, check out their Facebook page HERE.
As soon as Kickin’ It In The Teeth opens you can see these influences in action, this is downright dirty rock music! Sounding like 80’s power metal combined with some funk and a dash of metal, this track will have you moving along in time with it whether you do it willingly or not. Driven by sludgy guitars and a slamming drum beat under the screeching vocal line, this is a track for the rock fan, you’ll love it! What makes it even better though is that it leads in to Talk Is Cheap, another example of pure downright dirty rock and roll underpinned by a funky guitar line and a pounding beat. This is music you’ll want to crank up, have a beer to and annoy everyone in the neighbourhood with!
Ignition follows on in much the same style, continuing to add more of those dirty guitar licks to the tracks to keep them moving. The drums here take on a more frantic approach before once again breaking down into a Guns N Roses-esque beat for the main verse of the track. Sludgy throughout, this is another track which will have crowds moving along to it as well as chanting along to ‘Ignition to Addiction’! By the time Get Outta Town kicks in I’m already feeling a little breathless from these guys, and that’s just sitting at home listening to it. Again this track is more frantic than the others before it, building up to that funky break again as the vocals kick in. Remaining fast throughout, this is surely a winner on the live scene! Sounding almost GWAR like at times (That’s a compliment before anyone jumps at me!), this is a track which will generate fans – it’s accessible and catchy whilst staying true to its roots.
No Escape opens with chopper noises accompanied by morse code before fading in the bass line and guitars, keeping things simple here is a winner for sure as it helps the track build up. Soon enough though we’re back on that dirty and sludgy track running side by side with the band as they tear through the track. Finally though, as New Life kicks in, we’re granted a reprise and a rest. Opening slower, the track builds through picked guitars and soft drums alongside those raspy vocals again. Suddenly though, once again you’re thrown back into the pit as that driving force kicks in, raspy, heavy, funky, dirty – it’s all right there in the mix.
I didn’t know what to expect from Cry Havoc, normally when a band says they’re influenced by someone like Skid Row the product is horrific, but these guys have made it work. I think it’s the originality of it all which makes it sound so fresh whilst still sounding like something you’ve heard before – it’s a winning combination which I’m looking forward to hearing more of.
To find out more about Cry Havoc, check out their Facebook page HERE.