Taking Back Sunday - Self Titled.

The beauty of reviewing a band like Taking Back Sunday is you will already know whether you like them or not. You will have heard them on Scuzz and Kerrang!, maybe even danced to them a wee bit at a local rock night. Personally, not a band that I enjoy, not because they are poor at what they do, I just always thought there are bands out there that do it slightly better and a little less in-your-face than these always came across. Brand New and Jimmy Eat World are a couple. However, if you enjoy the whole post-punk, alternative emo sound, there is probably a lot on this record for you to enjoy.
Opener “El Paso” is a damned heavy abrasive song which certainly makes you pay attention. Described by the band as “the heaviest rock song they’ve recorded”, I’d be inclined to agree. “Faith (When I Let You Down)” is a hellishly catchy song, which I guess is this band’s charm. Everything they do is designed to be catchy, from the vocal hooks, to the well timed pauses, but there is a level of saccharine running through it which becomes blatantly obvious to me at this point, and I start to wince. There are a couple of other mildly memorable songs on here, “Sad Saviour” has a guitar riff that sounds a lot like “Everybody Hurts” and leads into a catchy chorus. It fades out a bit in the middle with “Money (Let It Go) and “This is All Now” being Taking Back Sunday By Numbers, however the guitar riff that opens “It Doesn’t Feel A Thing Like Falling” wakes you up a bit and that song definitely brings the album back to life.
The final three tracks are also quite good, but again, TBS have a style of music that you’ll either enjoy or want to throw up all over the nearest baby just to feel like you still have a set of balls after listening to. There are no major changes from the sound of previous records, and I’m sure that there are a hardcore legion of teenage fans who will love this album, for me it’s a case of growing up, changing tastes and leaving this type of music behind years ago. Or maybe I’m just a cynical bastard in my older age.

A selection of DJ’s will be playing goth, rock and alternative music in much the same way as they always did. Time will tell whether Persecution Revisited will lead to anything regular but signs are currently pointing to a monthly club night.

Opening at 8, entry is free before 10pm and £2 thereafter.

Kommand & Kontrol - Full Frontal Assault.

KOMMAND+KONTROL launch a Full Frontal Assault on your ears with this 5 track EP. This dark elektro project has been born from the collaboration of Angus Hobbs (DJ Virus) & David Chapman (Terminal). Two gentlemen heavily involved in the industrial/alternative scene DJing (Slimelight, Godlike, Synthetic Culture, Betty Ford Clinic, Club Robot) and most recently touring with the likes of Nachtmahr in the guise of Kommand+Kontrol.

These tracks largely have an instrumental focus especially I Promise and Secret Police. I Promise is eerie and yet full of bombast, static, beats and murderous confessions. Secret Police  has an equally creepy but bouncy aura to it before giving rise to some of the biggest bass beats I have ever heard. Dystopias samples tell tales of the rise of the machines while Fight It(remix) has the only true show of vocals and lyrics on the EP. Fight It is an aggressive, drum driven track where K+K Kommand and Kontrol a dancefloor against deadly forces with a soaring rave along midsection.

Full Frontal Assault flexes all manner of Dark Electro muscles and is an effective appetiser for the band. As a debut release their is a richness to its instrumental complexity and with minimal vocal input the music easily speaks for itself. If floor shakers that still have a capacity to chill you to the bone are your thing I can thoroughly recommend Full Frontal Assault.

The band is currently reported to be working on a full length release.