To The Lions
Formed in 2008, To The Lions are a metal band from the South East of England who have just released their new self titled EP, and asked us to have a listen! Having already been featured in Kerrang, these guys seem to be a band on the up and an act to keep an eye out for, so we thought it was about time we jumped on the band wagon to see what was going on! (please note – the order of the tracks reviewed does not necessarily represent the order of the tracks on the EP, but merely the order in which they ended up in the folder here.)
Opening with Oceans there’s a sudden smash in the face from some hammering guitar lines, roaring vocals and pounding rhythms, the whole mix immediately adopting a sound which is heavy, fast paced and downright aggressive. Despite the all out heavy approach there’s still an element of melody, something which lifts the track to a level above a simple metal tag. Add into the equation some roaring gang vocals and what you’ve got here is a track which is going to appeal to fans of the heavy side of things, will devastate venues on the live scene and build the guys one hell of a reputation. Moving on to Reason, the tone seems to ease back for a moment as the track gets going, but soon resumes the distorted and rolling approach of the previous track. The chorus is the main focal point of this track, it holds enough catchiness to make it accessible yet still manages to retain the over all power of the band throughout, it’s the sort of track which will get pits moving but equally, will get people chanting along with the band.
Wolves And Lions comes up next and once again, seems to fade out to begin the track before once again hammering us in the face with a distorted and aggressive mix of elements. Once again there’s a focus on the guitar and drum work here, the double bass pedal going at it whilst the guitars back it up, forming into a sound which is surely going to bring about some mental pits on the live scene. Adding in the vocals to complete the mix, the track seems to go from strength to strength, standing this out as a serious high point on the EP and my own personal favourite from the selection here. It’s only then left to Fourth to close things, finishing on another fast paced and aggressive note, leaving no doubt that this is a band that means business. There’s a real raw quality to this final track, the sort of thing which reflects the sound and aim of the band without becoming confused by studio technology or the ideas of anyone else. It would be clichéd to say the EP closes on a high, but in this case it really does, rounding off a pretty damned impressive 4 tracks.
When bands describe themselves as ‘metal’ I’m always part impressed and part concerned. All too often, people confuse what metal is and the result is a sound which is neither here nor there, but sometimes, and only sometimes, a band get it right and hit the nail on the head. To The Lions have achieved that here, hammering out an EP which is downright metal, heavy, and damned good to hear. Definitely a band to keep an eye out for, I was impressed here.
To find out more about To The Lions, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Oceans there’s a sudden smash in the face from some hammering guitar lines, roaring vocals and pounding rhythms, the whole mix immediately adopting a sound which is heavy, fast paced and downright aggressive. Despite the all out heavy approach there’s still an element of melody, something which lifts the track to a level above a simple metal tag. Add into the equation some roaring gang vocals and what you’ve got here is a track which is going to appeal to fans of the heavy side of things, will devastate venues on the live scene and build the guys one hell of a reputation. Moving on to Reason, the tone seems to ease back for a moment as the track gets going, but soon resumes the distorted and rolling approach of the previous track. The chorus is the main focal point of this track, it holds enough catchiness to make it accessible yet still manages to retain the over all power of the band throughout, it’s the sort of track which will get pits moving but equally, will get people chanting along with the band.
Wolves And Lions comes up next and once again, seems to fade out to begin the track before once again hammering us in the face with a distorted and aggressive mix of elements. Once again there’s a focus on the guitar and drum work here, the double bass pedal going at it whilst the guitars back it up, forming into a sound which is surely going to bring about some mental pits on the live scene. Adding in the vocals to complete the mix, the track seems to go from strength to strength, standing this out as a serious high point on the EP and my own personal favourite from the selection here. It’s only then left to Fourth to close things, finishing on another fast paced and aggressive note, leaving no doubt that this is a band that means business. There’s a real raw quality to this final track, the sort of thing which reflects the sound and aim of the band without becoming confused by studio technology or the ideas of anyone else. It would be clichéd to say the EP closes on a high, but in this case it really does, rounding off a pretty damned impressive 4 tracks.
When bands describe themselves as ‘metal’ I’m always part impressed and part concerned. All too often, people confuse what metal is and the result is a sound which is neither here nor there, but sometimes, and only sometimes, a band get it right and hit the nail on the head. To The Lions have achieved that here, hammering out an EP which is downright metal, heavy, and damned good to hear. Definitely a band to keep an eye out for, I was impressed here.
To find out more about To The Lions, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls