Reaper In Sicily - Islands
We featured Reaper In Sicily a while back, so when Garry from SAN PR sent us through a copy of their debut album Islands, I was pretty excited! Drawing comparisons to the likes of The Used, Kids In Glass Houses and Rise Against, this is a band who have had highs, serious lows, and have come out the other side stronger than ever. Now armed with an album recorded by Romesh Dodangoda (Funeral For A Friend, Kids In Glass Houses) and a full UK tour in the early part of the summer, it’s about time we all sat up and took note of Reaper In Sicily – so what of the spanking new album?
Kicking off with 50 things get off to a hammering start, launching straight into a powerful melee of hammering guitar work, pounding drums, and soaring vocal lines. Upbeat and managing to combine metal riffery with a slight punky edge, this track sets the album up as one which is going to be raw, in your face and catchy from the word go. This is a theme which continues into Boys Will Be Boys, once again combining their power with a serious dose of melody, using the guitar work to offer up a sound which is uplifting, powerful and at times, raw and in your face. Definitely the sort of track which is going to find its feet fully on the live scene, this is a moment which is going to convert anyone who had any doubts about Reaper In Sicily, and the sort of track which screams ‘release me as a single’ to anyone who hears it – quality stuff.
Chuck Norris Got A Chainsaw (which is possibly the best track title I’ve come across to date….kudos guys!) comes up next, offering up chunky riffs combined with soaring lead lines, once again demonstrating the bands ability to combine power and melody with aplomb. Raw vocals soon come in to take the lead from the heavy backing music, building on the already massive mix to create a sound that’s sure to satisfy that heavy urge within you. Personally, this is one of my favourites from the record, there’s something about the contrasting vocals, heavy backing music and real sense of progression throughout it which connects with you and makes you want to play it really, really loud! Down But Not Out comes a close second for me, once again using the guitars to the best of their abilities and lifting the track to a whole new high. Pushing the vocals to really hammer home the message behind the track, once again we’re shown what a band can achieve when they set their mind to it, how they can use their music to form a sound which connects with those who hear it, and how they can produce something people are going jump on as soon as they can.
Moving through Horizons (see below), we’re soon led onto title track Islands, a track packed with emotional hooks, vocals which are sure to get everyone singing along, and rhythms which are sure to get crowds moving. As soon as this track kicks off it’s clear why they chose to name the album after this track, it’s a serious high moment on things, and a track which once again secures the guys a slot as a must watch band from here onwards. Treading that thin line between soft and heavy, the key to this track is the catchy chorus – the sort of thing which is sure to have everyone singing along, moving along and loving what they’re hearing – definitely a moment to check out.
Working through Old Dogs, Sunnydale Sucks and The Catalina Wine Maker, we’re shown reason after reason as to why Reaper In Sicily have got so much potential to succeed, each track showcasing their style and reminding us of why we first started listening to metal. From moments which hark towards Kids In Glass Houses to other moments which hark back to the glory days of Lostprophets, each track comes as a demonstration of the bands ability, and a reason to keep listening. It’s only then left to The Prisoner to close things off, finishing on an upbeat number packed with catchy hooks, hammering guitar work, and more of that sense of a live band to behold. With vocals which push the track up a notch and guitars that keep the sense of distortion flowing, the final moments here close this album but remind us of one key thing – Reaper In Sicily are here, they’re ready, and they’re just about to break through to the big time.
When we first checked out Horizons from Reaper In Sicily I was blown away, it’s one of those tracks which has stayed with me since I first heard it, and now the whole album has had much the same effect. This isn’t over the top heavy or over produced, it’s an album which shows what Reaper In Sicily sound like, what to expect live, and why you need to be sitting up and paying attention right now. Definitely a band that I see damned good things for in the near future – you really should get out there and check this out for yourself….like now!
To find out more about Reaper In Sicily, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Kicking off with 50 things get off to a hammering start, launching straight into a powerful melee of hammering guitar work, pounding drums, and soaring vocal lines. Upbeat and managing to combine metal riffery with a slight punky edge, this track sets the album up as one which is going to be raw, in your face and catchy from the word go. This is a theme which continues into Boys Will Be Boys, once again combining their power with a serious dose of melody, using the guitar work to offer up a sound which is uplifting, powerful and at times, raw and in your face. Definitely the sort of track which is going to find its feet fully on the live scene, this is a moment which is going to convert anyone who had any doubts about Reaper In Sicily, and the sort of track which screams ‘release me as a single’ to anyone who hears it – quality stuff.
Chuck Norris Got A Chainsaw (which is possibly the best track title I’ve come across to date….kudos guys!) comes up next, offering up chunky riffs combined with soaring lead lines, once again demonstrating the bands ability to combine power and melody with aplomb. Raw vocals soon come in to take the lead from the heavy backing music, building on the already massive mix to create a sound that’s sure to satisfy that heavy urge within you. Personally, this is one of my favourites from the record, there’s something about the contrasting vocals, heavy backing music and real sense of progression throughout it which connects with you and makes you want to play it really, really loud! Down But Not Out comes a close second for me, once again using the guitars to the best of their abilities and lifting the track to a whole new high. Pushing the vocals to really hammer home the message behind the track, once again we’re shown what a band can achieve when they set their mind to it, how they can use their music to form a sound which connects with those who hear it, and how they can produce something people are going jump on as soon as they can.
Moving through Horizons (see below), we’re soon led onto title track Islands, a track packed with emotional hooks, vocals which are sure to get everyone singing along, and rhythms which are sure to get crowds moving. As soon as this track kicks off it’s clear why they chose to name the album after this track, it’s a serious high moment on things, and a track which once again secures the guys a slot as a must watch band from here onwards. Treading that thin line between soft and heavy, the key to this track is the catchy chorus – the sort of thing which is sure to have everyone singing along, moving along and loving what they’re hearing – definitely a moment to check out.
Working through Old Dogs, Sunnydale Sucks and The Catalina Wine Maker, we’re shown reason after reason as to why Reaper In Sicily have got so much potential to succeed, each track showcasing their style and reminding us of why we first started listening to metal. From moments which hark towards Kids In Glass Houses to other moments which hark back to the glory days of Lostprophets, each track comes as a demonstration of the bands ability, and a reason to keep listening. It’s only then left to The Prisoner to close things off, finishing on an upbeat number packed with catchy hooks, hammering guitar work, and more of that sense of a live band to behold. With vocals which push the track up a notch and guitars that keep the sense of distortion flowing, the final moments here close this album but remind us of one key thing – Reaper In Sicily are here, they’re ready, and they’re just about to break through to the big time.
When we first checked out Horizons from Reaper In Sicily I was blown away, it’s one of those tracks which has stayed with me since I first heard it, and now the whole album has had much the same effect. This isn’t over the top heavy or over produced, it’s an album which shows what Reaper In Sicily sound like, what to expect live, and why you need to be sitting up and paying attention right now. Definitely a band that I see damned good things for in the near future – you really should get out there and check this out for yourself….like now!
To find out more about Reaper In Sicily, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Reaper In Sicily
We were recently sent through the new single, Horizons, from UK rock crew Reaper In Sicily to check out before the release of their debut album Islands, due out on June 10th. Having formed in 2009, the guys hit the scene running, achieving the ‘Best Unsigned Live Act’ award from Kerrang Magazine before inking a deal with Search and Destroy Records and Raw Power Management. Going on to have their debut single We Are The Show on TV and Radio One, the guys were all set to hit the big time, until sadly, in March 2010, disaster struck. Matthew Jenkins (guitarist) was diagnosed with leukaemia, so the band were put on hiatus until Matthew felt well enough to play – which thankfully, he soon did.
Making a glorious comeback at the Reading and Leeds festivals in support of their debut EP, Eden, the guys worked to get back on it, releasing the follow up EP Chapters soon after, and touring the UK with Kids In Glass Houses, The Subways, Max Raptor, Attack! Attack!, Mallory Knox, Hawthorne Heights, Fightstar, The Xcerts, Straight Lines, I Spy Strangers…the list goes on. And here we are now, a new single, and a self funded debut album due for release – so after all of this work, what’s the sound like?
The track kicks into a deep and powerful opening, melding bass with hammering guitar work, pounding drums and soaring vocal lines to craft a sound which is heavy, powerful, accessible and packed with attitude. Fast paced and in your face, this track is heavy yet still manages to incorporate a serious sense of melody into things, combining heavy and melody in a manner that’s sure to hook people into their sound and make them want to hear more. Deep and meaningful throughout, this is a track which isn’t just the first single off of their debut album, this is a track which stands up and says ‘we’re back and we’re coming for you’, somehow managing to capture the feeling from the band of achievement, determination and drive that’s kept them going. Packed with power until the moment it comes to a close, this is a track I expect to be hearing a hell of a lot more moving forwards from here.
Any band out there who can go through what Reaper In Sicily have done and come out the other side are clearly dedicated to their craft, and the single on offer here reflects that. From catchy moments through to all out moments of sheer power, this is a single which is sure to appeal to fans of heavy, fans of soft, and fans of music in general. Definitely a band I’ll be keeping a close eye on and looking to hear more from soon.
To find out more about Reaper In Sicily, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Making a glorious comeback at the Reading and Leeds festivals in support of their debut EP, Eden, the guys worked to get back on it, releasing the follow up EP Chapters soon after, and touring the UK with Kids In Glass Houses, The Subways, Max Raptor, Attack! Attack!, Mallory Knox, Hawthorne Heights, Fightstar, The Xcerts, Straight Lines, I Spy Strangers…the list goes on. And here we are now, a new single, and a self funded debut album due for release – so after all of this work, what’s the sound like?
The track kicks into a deep and powerful opening, melding bass with hammering guitar work, pounding drums and soaring vocal lines to craft a sound which is heavy, powerful, accessible and packed with attitude. Fast paced and in your face, this track is heavy yet still manages to incorporate a serious sense of melody into things, combining heavy and melody in a manner that’s sure to hook people into their sound and make them want to hear more. Deep and meaningful throughout, this is a track which isn’t just the first single off of their debut album, this is a track which stands up and says ‘we’re back and we’re coming for you’, somehow managing to capture the feeling from the band of achievement, determination and drive that’s kept them going. Packed with power until the moment it comes to a close, this is a track I expect to be hearing a hell of a lot more moving forwards from here.
Any band out there who can go through what Reaper In Sicily have done and come out the other side are clearly dedicated to their craft, and the single on offer here reflects that. From catchy moments through to all out moments of sheer power, this is a single which is sure to appeal to fans of heavy, fans of soft, and fans of music in general. Definitely a band I’ll be keeping a close eye on and looking to hear more from soon.
To find out more about Reaper In Sicily, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls