Grand Ultra - No Sympathy
A long long time ago, in a house not so far away from where I’m sat working right now, I started the website known as Loud-Stuff. Way back in those early days we were put onto a band known as Grand Ultra, a band who didn’t have a lot to say about themselves on their bio but blew us away with their approach to blending the best of old and new rock and metal to make an ‘in your face’ cocktail called Grand Ultra – the same words, but what of their new six track EP, No Sympathy?
As title track No Sympathy gets things in motion it’s clear that this is a band who have been working hard, the opening moments of the EP setting the tone for what is to follow and showing us that this is going to be one hell of a ride. Bass heavy rhythms work with upbeat melodies from the guitars and vocals, forming a mix which is going to get asses shaking, beers flowing, people singing and a real sense of good quality music booming out of the speakers. Alternating from the straight forward to a galloping beat, this is a track which holds all of the hallmarks of a classic in the waiting, the sort of track which will secure these guys as a band you need to hear, and one which sets this EP as one to make sure you check out. Home Is Where The Heart Is continues this approach further, launching us head first into an upbeat guitar tone accompanied by more of those awesome vocal lines. This is another seriously accomplished track, the sort of thing which combines a real sense of metal with an overwhelming sense of rock n roll melody, it’s hard hitting yet accessible from start to finish. To me, this is a live track, and one which I imagine is going to find its full force when performed on a live stage – something which I need to make sure I check out.
Get Your Rocks Off once again shows us the old school influences of the band, opening with a dirty guitar line designed to get those asses shaking, people drinking, and everyone feeding off of the sound coming from the band. The key to this track is the chorus section, combining the soaring vocal line with a distorted yet accessible guitar line and mixing the whole thing with a rhythm section straight out of the rock n roll handbook. Funky, upbeat and catchy from start to finish, if this track doesn’t secure these guys as a band you need to see then there’s something wrong with you, another stand out track and we’re only 3 into the EP! Guns At Dawn marks a slight change in the progression of the album, this time focusing more on the metal side of things and moving away from that classic rock style. Don’t get me wrong, this is another track which is sure to get heads banging and people chanting along, there’s just more of a raw edge thrown into this one, the sort of thing which shows off the harder side of the band and reminds us that they’re not to be messed with. To me, this is a serious high point on the EP, a track which stands out as one to check out and one which has the potential to be a break through moment for the band – purely my opinion but we’ll see.
Alone Tonight presents us with the penultimate track on the EP, opening as it means to go on and launching us straight into a refined melee of intricate guitar lines, pounding bass and more of those soaring vocals. Once again there’s a real sense of old school metal flowing through this track, harking back to the likes of Motley Crue and the stadium rock crew of those days, something which gives it an edge which is all too often lost in modern music. What’s most striking here is the sound which the band have achieved, it sounds classic and rooted in the old school, yet at the same time sounds fresh and new, exciting and interesting, but most of all something you want to hear a hell of a lot more of. It’s a shame then to discover that the next track, Goodbye Angel, is in fact the final track on the EP, bringing a close to the EP and leaving us with a serious taste for more. Closing with a slower track designed to tug at the heart strings and show off a more emotional edge to the band, the closing moments here finish the EP but mark a new chapter in other ways, the final moments building to a crescendo and showing us that there’s still a lot more to come from these guys. Despite the slower opening moments we’re soon thrust back into the all out power of Grand Ultra, finishing on a note which leaves no doubt in my mind that this EP is going to be one I’ll return to time and time again, one I’m glad I’ve heard, and one a lot more people need to make sure they check out.
Grand Ultra are one of those bands that I’ve wanted to see since we first featured them, yet I’ve not managed to make it to yet. Their music manages to cross genres as well as decades, showing us how accomplished a band can sound when they’re on the same page, know what they’re doing, and are primed to take over the world. If you’ve not heard Grand Ultra then you need to – get on it and check them out.
To find out more about Grand Ultra, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As title track No Sympathy gets things in motion it’s clear that this is a band who have been working hard, the opening moments of the EP setting the tone for what is to follow and showing us that this is going to be one hell of a ride. Bass heavy rhythms work with upbeat melodies from the guitars and vocals, forming a mix which is going to get asses shaking, beers flowing, people singing and a real sense of good quality music booming out of the speakers. Alternating from the straight forward to a galloping beat, this is a track which holds all of the hallmarks of a classic in the waiting, the sort of track which will secure these guys as a band you need to hear, and one which sets this EP as one to make sure you check out. Home Is Where The Heart Is continues this approach further, launching us head first into an upbeat guitar tone accompanied by more of those awesome vocal lines. This is another seriously accomplished track, the sort of thing which combines a real sense of metal with an overwhelming sense of rock n roll melody, it’s hard hitting yet accessible from start to finish. To me, this is a live track, and one which I imagine is going to find its full force when performed on a live stage – something which I need to make sure I check out.
Get Your Rocks Off once again shows us the old school influences of the band, opening with a dirty guitar line designed to get those asses shaking, people drinking, and everyone feeding off of the sound coming from the band. The key to this track is the chorus section, combining the soaring vocal line with a distorted yet accessible guitar line and mixing the whole thing with a rhythm section straight out of the rock n roll handbook. Funky, upbeat and catchy from start to finish, if this track doesn’t secure these guys as a band you need to see then there’s something wrong with you, another stand out track and we’re only 3 into the EP! Guns At Dawn marks a slight change in the progression of the album, this time focusing more on the metal side of things and moving away from that classic rock style. Don’t get me wrong, this is another track which is sure to get heads banging and people chanting along, there’s just more of a raw edge thrown into this one, the sort of thing which shows off the harder side of the band and reminds us that they’re not to be messed with. To me, this is a serious high point on the EP, a track which stands out as one to check out and one which has the potential to be a break through moment for the band – purely my opinion but we’ll see.
Alone Tonight presents us with the penultimate track on the EP, opening as it means to go on and launching us straight into a refined melee of intricate guitar lines, pounding bass and more of those soaring vocals. Once again there’s a real sense of old school metal flowing through this track, harking back to the likes of Motley Crue and the stadium rock crew of those days, something which gives it an edge which is all too often lost in modern music. What’s most striking here is the sound which the band have achieved, it sounds classic and rooted in the old school, yet at the same time sounds fresh and new, exciting and interesting, but most of all something you want to hear a hell of a lot more of. It’s a shame then to discover that the next track, Goodbye Angel, is in fact the final track on the EP, bringing a close to the EP and leaving us with a serious taste for more. Closing with a slower track designed to tug at the heart strings and show off a more emotional edge to the band, the closing moments here finish the EP but mark a new chapter in other ways, the final moments building to a crescendo and showing us that there’s still a lot more to come from these guys. Despite the slower opening moments we’re soon thrust back into the all out power of Grand Ultra, finishing on a note which leaves no doubt in my mind that this EP is going to be one I’ll return to time and time again, one I’m glad I’ve heard, and one a lot more people need to make sure they check out.
Grand Ultra are one of those bands that I’ve wanted to see since we first featured them, yet I’ve not managed to make it to yet. Their music manages to cross genres as well as decades, showing us how accomplished a band can sound when they’re on the same page, know what they’re doing, and are primed to take over the world. If you’ve not heard Grand Ultra then you need to – get on it and check them out.
To find out more about Grand Ultra, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Grand Ultra
Grand Ultra describe themselves as a 4 piece metal band from the Midlands who blend the best of old and new rock and metal to make an ‘in your face’ cocktail called Grand Ultra – intruiged? Me too!
Guns At Dawn is the first track on their FB page and I think backs up how they describe themselves, they’ve got an almost 80’s glam rock edge to their guitar and vocal style yet the drums from newer metal – and the contrast is good! Adopting that 80’s style of metal in the guitar and vocals adds a massively catchy edge to the music here which will have you chanting along to GUNS AT DAWN with the band within seconds – it’s a triumph! My issue – it’s only a preview so there’s only a short part of the track on their FB page – but it’s a winner!
Second track Goodbye Angel follows on, again being a preview. This track opens in a different style, using a picked guitar to create an ominous sound backed up by those older style vocals again. This track is far more emotionally charged than the one before but soon picks up the pace. As the guitars kick in the drums once again charge onwards, creating a sound combining old and new metal – I’ll admit I had my doubts at first but it works so well! The vocals hark back to the glory days of 80’s metal, the drums and guitars combine to create an almost NWOBHM sound whilst adding in a catchy vocal hook just to make sure you’re singing along.
One question arose to me when I was listening to the samples on the bands page – why haven’t I heard this before as it’s awesome! The contrasts of the two styles of music they’ve combined work so well together that it’s impossible not to like it! Definitely a band I’ll be following up to hear more of!
To find out more about Grand Ultra, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Guns At Dawn is the first track on their FB page and I think backs up how they describe themselves, they’ve got an almost 80’s glam rock edge to their guitar and vocal style yet the drums from newer metal – and the contrast is good! Adopting that 80’s style of metal in the guitar and vocals adds a massively catchy edge to the music here which will have you chanting along to GUNS AT DAWN with the band within seconds – it’s a triumph! My issue – it’s only a preview so there’s only a short part of the track on their FB page – but it’s a winner!
Second track Goodbye Angel follows on, again being a preview. This track opens in a different style, using a picked guitar to create an ominous sound backed up by those older style vocals again. This track is far more emotionally charged than the one before but soon picks up the pace. As the guitars kick in the drums once again charge onwards, creating a sound combining old and new metal – I’ll admit I had my doubts at first but it works so well! The vocals hark back to the glory days of 80’s metal, the drums and guitars combine to create an almost NWOBHM sound whilst adding in a catchy vocal hook just to make sure you’re singing along.
One question arose to me when I was listening to the samples on the bands page – why haven’t I heard this before as it’s awesome! The contrasts of the two styles of music they’ve combined work so well together that it’s impossible not to like it! Definitely a band I’ll be following up to hear more of!
To find out more about Grand Ultra, check out their Facebook page HERE.