Zoltar Speaks
We were recently put on to Twisted Species, a band formed in 2009 and born out of a passionate collective vision to create a unique rock sound by drawing on their varied influences. Describing their style as grunge tunes with metal grooves, the band have previously been compared to the likes of Black Stone Cherry through to Pearl Jam – which is quite a gap! Setting forth with a collective interest in drinking and being merry, I figured it was time to get on and check out what their music was like for myself.
Please note – the order of the tracks following does not represent the order of the album, instead the order in which the tracks downloaded onto my computer!
Kicking off with Blood Of Angels we’re led into a slow and laid back start, a soft guitar line paving the way initially before ushering in some bass heavy rhythms and a faded out lead line – it’s an atmospheric and deep start which sets the tone for an emotional track to follow. It’s immediately clear where the Pearl Jam comparisons have come from, the vocals adopting that signature gravelly sound of Eddie Vedder from the off. Catchy yet laid back and filled with vocal lines that are sure to work their way into your soul, this is a hell of a track to introduce us to a band, and one which I think has some serious potential. Dead Behind The Eyes on the other hand doesn’t mess about with any emotional edges or laid back intros, instead launching us straight into a melee of hammering guitar work, soulful vocals and bass lines which make you want to get moving. Another track which shows off their grunge styles whilst at the same time manages to push things to a new, more modern level – this is another high point from the band, and another moment which shows their ability to craft tracks.
Don’t Wanna Die Again continues this approach further, ushering in a funky assed drum line accompanied by soaring guitar work, offering up a sound which is in your face and raw, yet at the same time the sort of thing that you know is going to go down a storm on the live scene. Personally, this was one of my favourite tracks off of the selection the guys sent through, it’s got enough grunge to make it upbeat and catchy, and enough metal to give it that chunk edge, a combination which works well to once again offer up a track which will find its true potential on the live scene. Feed What You Crave once again carries this idea forwards, combining chunky guitar work with a galloping drum beat to craft a sound that is going to be loved on the live scene. Raw and powerful vocals bolster the mix whilst the guitars continue to push the track forwards, resulting in a track which stands out as a serious high point here, and another one that personally, I really want to check out live.
It’s no surprise then that as Hold Me Down we’re greeted by chunky riffs and pinch harmonics, this time roving towards a Black Label Society type sound packed with elements of funkiness and power. Straight up hard rock, this track seems to mark a slight change in proceedings, moving away from the grungey type stuff and instead, adopting a Zak Wylde approach to straight down the line, hard hitting, chunky as buggery rock music – and personally I think it sounds damned cool. Continuing to push their boundaries through the Mark Tremonti-esque Descended, the dramatic and powerful Divide and stadium rock anthem in the waiting Innocence Lost, each track reveals a slightly different outlook and approach from the band, showing they’re not just one trick ponies and can hammer out the goods when the moment requires it. It’s when Powerstruggle comes about though that once again a high point is reached and we’re shown just how well these guys understand their craft. From chunky guitar lines through to groove orientated bass heavy rhythms, this track has it all by the bucket load, and sounds damned cool. Catchy without becoming cheesy, this is another live anthem in the waiting, and another track to make sure you get out and check out when you get a chance.
It’s only then left to Slip Away to close things, finishing on a fast paced and funky track, leaving no doubt that Twisted Species have a solid understanding of what makes a quality rock track, know how to level things out perfectly, and have the skills to make it all work – closing on a high!
The name Twisted Species doesn’t give a lot away about a band, but going into this I had images of a trashy old school rock and roll band for some reason – not what I’ve come across. What’s on offer here is grunge mixed with metal in a way that will connect with your soul, rekindle that love you once had for rock music, and make you want to get out to support them on the live scene. Definitely a band I want to see live just to make sure I haven’t missed anything!
To find out more about Twisted Species, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Please note – the order of the tracks following does not represent the order of the album, instead the order in which the tracks downloaded onto my computer!
Kicking off with Blood Of Angels we’re led into a slow and laid back start, a soft guitar line paving the way initially before ushering in some bass heavy rhythms and a faded out lead line – it’s an atmospheric and deep start which sets the tone for an emotional track to follow. It’s immediately clear where the Pearl Jam comparisons have come from, the vocals adopting that signature gravelly sound of Eddie Vedder from the off. Catchy yet laid back and filled with vocal lines that are sure to work their way into your soul, this is a hell of a track to introduce us to a band, and one which I think has some serious potential. Dead Behind The Eyes on the other hand doesn’t mess about with any emotional edges or laid back intros, instead launching us straight into a melee of hammering guitar work, soulful vocals and bass lines which make you want to get moving. Another track which shows off their grunge styles whilst at the same time manages to push things to a new, more modern level – this is another high point from the band, and another moment which shows their ability to craft tracks.
Don’t Wanna Die Again continues this approach further, ushering in a funky assed drum line accompanied by soaring guitar work, offering up a sound which is in your face and raw, yet at the same time the sort of thing that you know is going to go down a storm on the live scene. Personally, this was one of my favourite tracks off of the selection the guys sent through, it’s got enough grunge to make it upbeat and catchy, and enough metal to give it that chunk edge, a combination which works well to once again offer up a track which will find its true potential on the live scene. Feed What You Crave once again carries this idea forwards, combining chunky guitar work with a galloping drum beat to craft a sound that is going to be loved on the live scene. Raw and powerful vocals bolster the mix whilst the guitars continue to push the track forwards, resulting in a track which stands out as a serious high point here, and another one that personally, I really want to check out live.
It’s no surprise then that as Hold Me Down we’re greeted by chunky riffs and pinch harmonics, this time roving towards a Black Label Society type sound packed with elements of funkiness and power. Straight up hard rock, this track seems to mark a slight change in proceedings, moving away from the grungey type stuff and instead, adopting a Zak Wylde approach to straight down the line, hard hitting, chunky as buggery rock music – and personally I think it sounds damned cool. Continuing to push their boundaries through the Mark Tremonti-esque Descended, the dramatic and powerful Divide and stadium rock anthem in the waiting Innocence Lost, each track reveals a slightly different outlook and approach from the band, showing they’re not just one trick ponies and can hammer out the goods when the moment requires it. It’s when Powerstruggle comes about though that once again a high point is reached and we’re shown just how well these guys understand their craft. From chunky guitar lines through to groove orientated bass heavy rhythms, this track has it all by the bucket load, and sounds damned cool. Catchy without becoming cheesy, this is another live anthem in the waiting, and another track to make sure you get out and check out when you get a chance.
It’s only then left to Slip Away to close things, finishing on a fast paced and funky track, leaving no doubt that Twisted Species have a solid understanding of what makes a quality rock track, know how to level things out perfectly, and have the skills to make it all work – closing on a high!
The name Twisted Species doesn’t give a lot away about a band, but going into this I had images of a trashy old school rock and roll band for some reason – not what I’ve come across. What’s on offer here is grunge mixed with metal in a way that will connect with your soul, rekindle that love you once had for rock music, and make you want to get out to support them on the live scene. Definitely a band I want to see live just to make sure I haven’t missed anything!
To find out more about Twisted Species, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls