Hellbound Rebels
Firebrand Media recently dropped us a line about Hellbound Rebels, a band built around a mix of influences branching over several genres and outlooks. Developing a reputation as an energetic and entertaining live act with a proven track record of keeping their fans happy at their shows as well as impressing new ones, we were sent their EP, Corruption For Beginners, to check out to see what we thought. Ever the helpful people we are here at Loud-Stuff, we hit play to have a listen!
Please note: The order of the tracks in the review below does not necessarily represent the order of the tracks on the EP, but instead the order in which they downloaded.
As Suffer This gets things in motion we’re thrown into a rock fuelled melee of guitars, drums and bass, the mix forming into a groove orientated sense of upbeat power and distortion. The over all feel here is one of classic style rock, almost harking towards southern style rock but with more of a harder edge to things, the sort of thing which is going to get people singing along from the word go and wanting more from the band. There’s something catchy about the mix on offer here, showing that this is a band who understand how to use distortion effectively, not over doing it or adding in moments which are unnecessary or not needed. The same sort of feeling comes from hOw AwKwArD as it comes in to take the lead, this time fading back to a softer opening and offering up something darker and more ominous. Melodic as well as dark, this is a track which stands out as one that’s got the potential to be the break through track for the band, showing off both their hard and soft sides and letting us know that they’re still as full on as the first track suggested. Syncopated and technical throughout, this is one of my favourites from the EP, the sort of thing which you can’t help but want to hear more of.
That’s Just Outrageous follows on and once again returns us to the hard hitting moments of the first track, this time showing off a more metal edge to things and offering up a track which is raw and powerful from the word go. Roving more towards the punk side of the spectrum, this is a track which provides a social commentary on things, suggesting we ‘smash it with a brick’ and getting us moving from the word go. This ability to move their style more towards the punkier side of things is quite impressive, as across 3 tracks they’ve covered a wide spectrum of styles, and achieved them all with aplomb. Vulture closes the EP for us and finishes with another surprise, opening with the statement that ‘you’re only a number’ before launching us into a sludgy mix of distorted guitars, roving bass rhythms and a real sense of all out metal. The tone of the guitars on this track are sublime, the sort of tone which is heavy, hard hitting and powerful, but smooth at the same time, allowing you to listen to everything fully and take it all on board. In short, it’s a great close to a solid EP, and an EP I know I’ll be listening to again.
It’s impressive that Hellbound Rebels have managed to incorporate so many different styles into such a short EP, showing that they’re capable of playing tracks of different styles and coming up with the goods to back up their reputation. At sometimes you’re in for metal, other times punk, and other times soft and melodic ballad-esque guitar lines, but throughout you know who you’re listening to. Add into this the different recording approaches which are evident throughout and what you’ve got on offer isn’t just an EP, it’s a journey through the different genres this band loves, and something to check out for sure.
To find out more about Hellbound Rebels, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Please note: The order of the tracks in the review below does not necessarily represent the order of the tracks on the EP, but instead the order in which they downloaded.
As Suffer This gets things in motion we’re thrown into a rock fuelled melee of guitars, drums and bass, the mix forming into a groove orientated sense of upbeat power and distortion. The over all feel here is one of classic style rock, almost harking towards southern style rock but with more of a harder edge to things, the sort of thing which is going to get people singing along from the word go and wanting more from the band. There’s something catchy about the mix on offer here, showing that this is a band who understand how to use distortion effectively, not over doing it or adding in moments which are unnecessary or not needed. The same sort of feeling comes from hOw AwKwArD as it comes in to take the lead, this time fading back to a softer opening and offering up something darker and more ominous. Melodic as well as dark, this is a track which stands out as one that’s got the potential to be the break through track for the band, showing off both their hard and soft sides and letting us know that they’re still as full on as the first track suggested. Syncopated and technical throughout, this is one of my favourites from the EP, the sort of thing which you can’t help but want to hear more of.
That’s Just Outrageous follows on and once again returns us to the hard hitting moments of the first track, this time showing off a more metal edge to things and offering up a track which is raw and powerful from the word go. Roving more towards the punk side of the spectrum, this is a track which provides a social commentary on things, suggesting we ‘smash it with a brick’ and getting us moving from the word go. This ability to move their style more towards the punkier side of things is quite impressive, as across 3 tracks they’ve covered a wide spectrum of styles, and achieved them all with aplomb. Vulture closes the EP for us and finishes with another surprise, opening with the statement that ‘you’re only a number’ before launching us into a sludgy mix of distorted guitars, roving bass rhythms and a real sense of all out metal. The tone of the guitars on this track are sublime, the sort of tone which is heavy, hard hitting and powerful, but smooth at the same time, allowing you to listen to everything fully and take it all on board. In short, it’s a great close to a solid EP, and an EP I know I’ll be listening to again.
It’s impressive that Hellbound Rebels have managed to incorporate so many different styles into such a short EP, showing that they’re capable of playing tracks of different styles and coming up with the goods to back up their reputation. At sometimes you’re in for metal, other times punk, and other times soft and melodic ballad-esque guitar lines, but throughout you know who you’re listening to. Add into this the different recording approaches which are evident throughout and what you’ve got on offer isn’t just an EP, it’s a journey through the different genres this band loves, and something to check out for sure.
To find out more about Hellbound Rebels, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls