Curv
We were recently contacted by Rich from Derbyshire based Curv, about their EP to see what we thought about what’s going on. Describing their sound as ‘metal’ (love the plain and simple approach) and saying they’re setting out with a mission to take their music to the masses on the live stage, the band have a clearly defined style, a clear aim and a solid fan base – so what of the music?
From the opening moments of They Survive, I’m inclined to agree with the bands self proclaimed style of metal, opening with a hammering riff and roaring vocal line which is going to get pits forming, heads banging and air guitars being thrown from front to back. Hammering through the track with a guitar tone akin to Pantera, there’s a real sense of familiarity running through the sound from the band, almost like a hybrid of Pantera and Hatebreed, offering a pumping and aggressive journey throughout. Despite the all out power and aggression on the track, there’s also a hell of a lot of musical ability on display from the guys, showing that they understand how to play their instruments as well as how to hammer out a track of massive proportions – you only need to hear the breakdown to realise what’s going on here – and it’s most good.
Free Fall doesn’t offer up and reprise from the all out head banging approach of the band, once again launching us into a track which, on the live scene, is surely going to destroy venues across the country. I love the chanted chorus on this track, it’s the sort of thing which is going to get audiences taking part, people joining in and everyone remembering the track, which has to be a damned good thing. Once again keeping the mix balanced so that the different elements of the band can come through and be heard, this is once again an example of how able a band we’re dealing with here. As if further evidence was needed of the power held in Curv, Chrysalis comes up to take the lead next and once again propels you into a pit head first. Sounding akin to nu-metal at a couple of moments of this track, there’s a sense of 2000-2001 metal going on here which once again, is going to get people shifting and moving to the beat. This is one of my personal favourite tracks off of the EP, standing out as a serious highpoint for the band in my humble opinion.
Coming a close second (in my eyes) is Black Heart, another track which uses the pumping guitar lines to accentuate the sheer power of the track yet also manages to incorporate a funky and groovy approach within the track. Throwing in some syncopated beats to keep things technical, there’s intricate guitar lines, pounding drum lines, roaring vocals and enough bass to shatter the windows, once again marking this track as one which is going to rapidly become a live favourite. Closing with Detonate the band seem to have saved one of their most energetic efforts to the end of the EP, closing with a track which is going to induce some serious pits, get the band a serious reputation on the live scene and convert people to their sound from the off. Another seriously accomplished track, this final moment of the EP may well be the last on this record, but it leaves the future looking very bright indeed for what is to follow, here’s just hoping the band stick to this style!
I don’t know if I agree with Curv in their ‘metal’ statement, as I think there’s more to it than that if I’m honest. Sure, there’s all of the hall marks of a quality metal band within this EP, but there’s also the energy and technical approach of a more advanced band, a band that incorporates elements of thrash and progressive into their music, but keeps it simple so as not to over do it. In summary, what you’ve got here is an EP which is going to remind you why you started listening to metal in the first place and renew that sense of pride you took in going to gigs – definitely a band to make sure you check out!
To find out more about Curv, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Check out their video to They Survive below!
Words: Dave Nicholls
From the opening moments of They Survive, I’m inclined to agree with the bands self proclaimed style of metal, opening with a hammering riff and roaring vocal line which is going to get pits forming, heads banging and air guitars being thrown from front to back. Hammering through the track with a guitar tone akin to Pantera, there’s a real sense of familiarity running through the sound from the band, almost like a hybrid of Pantera and Hatebreed, offering a pumping and aggressive journey throughout. Despite the all out power and aggression on the track, there’s also a hell of a lot of musical ability on display from the guys, showing that they understand how to play their instruments as well as how to hammer out a track of massive proportions – you only need to hear the breakdown to realise what’s going on here – and it’s most good.
Free Fall doesn’t offer up and reprise from the all out head banging approach of the band, once again launching us into a track which, on the live scene, is surely going to destroy venues across the country. I love the chanted chorus on this track, it’s the sort of thing which is going to get audiences taking part, people joining in and everyone remembering the track, which has to be a damned good thing. Once again keeping the mix balanced so that the different elements of the band can come through and be heard, this is once again an example of how able a band we’re dealing with here. As if further evidence was needed of the power held in Curv, Chrysalis comes up to take the lead next and once again propels you into a pit head first. Sounding akin to nu-metal at a couple of moments of this track, there’s a sense of 2000-2001 metal going on here which once again, is going to get people shifting and moving to the beat. This is one of my personal favourite tracks off of the EP, standing out as a serious highpoint for the band in my humble opinion.
Coming a close second (in my eyes) is Black Heart, another track which uses the pumping guitar lines to accentuate the sheer power of the track yet also manages to incorporate a funky and groovy approach within the track. Throwing in some syncopated beats to keep things technical, there’s intricate guitar lines, pounding drum lines, roaring vocals and enough bass to shatter the windows, once again marking this track as one which is going to rapidly become a live favourite. Closing with Detonate the band seem to have saved one of their most energetic efforts to the end of the EP, closing with a track which is going to induce some serious pits, get the band a serious reputation on the live scene and convert people to their sound from the off. Another seriously accomplished track, this final moment of the EP may well be the last on this record, but it leaves the future looking very bright indeed for what is to follow, here’s just hoping the band stick to this style!
I don’t know if I agree with Curv in their ‘metal’ statement, as I think there’s more to it than that if I’m honest. Sure, there’s all of the hall marks of a quality metal band within this EP, but there’s also the energy and technical approach of a more advanced band, a band that incorporates elements of thrash and progressive into their music, but keeps it simple so as not to over do it. In summary, what you’ve got here is an EP which is going to remind you why you started listening to metal in the first place and renew that sense of pride you took in going to gigs – definitely a band to make sure you check out!
To find out more about Curv, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Check out their video to They Survive below!
Words: Dave Nicholls