Glassjaw - Material Control

Every genre has influential bands. Special bands that pave the way for so many bands that follow them. Bands that aren't afraid to do things differently and end up becoming so individual that even copycats can never sound like them. Every single genre has these bands. Post-hardcore has Glassjaw. Developing a loyal fanbase very early on that's continued to grow over the years, Daryl Palumbo and crew took the hardcore formula and threw a ton of other influences in, and created music that was as destructive and manic as it was beautiful. Their first 2 records Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence and Worship and Tribute quickly garnered what you could call cult status within hardcore, and have been cited as influences by numerous bands over the last 15 years. They started teasing new material a couple of years back, and we've been eagerly waiting. The new music is finally here, and it's in the form of their first full length in 15 years Material Control. There is certainly hype surrounding this record. Does it live up to it?

This album, as you'd expect, is a rollercoaster ride of adrenaline fuelled madness and the occasional spot of calm to allow you to catch your breath. Lead single shira was the first introduction we got to the new material, and what an introduction. A dark, brooding, energetic return to form. Exactly what the masses of loyal fanatics needed to hear. The vocal melody choices reminded me a LOT of Chino Moreno (Deftones vocalist), and added to the sinister feel of the track. Other tracks that follow this suit are the unmistakably angry golgotha, the white knuckle ride that is new white extremity, and the classic Glassjaw sounding cut and run. They have in no way lost their spark, and they're most certainly flaunting that fact as often as possible. As expected, there are shades of light thrown in to the dark to provide a bit of relief from the madness, and on this record it's in the form of strange hours. A pulsing, gradually swelling lullaby that provides a well needed breather in the middle of the album. When you reach this breather, appreciate it, because it's the only one you'll get. The album bursts straight back into more absolute ragers like pompeii, bibleland 6 and personal favourite my conscience weighs a ton. Musically this album is great, and is just as clever and mind bending as it is simple and tasteful. There's a great balance between both elements, and the musicianship and skill on show is at a high level. I have to give a special shout out to the bassist Travis Sykes for ripping some absolutely beasty basslines throughout the record. Like seriously, every single track has something tasty going on at some point with the bass, be it cleverly placed stabs or musically decorative runs. All in all, this is a great record. Not their best, and definitely not their best produced as it sounds kind of muddy and blurred at times. But that's part of their charm right? They aren't clean cut, they're raw and to the point. And that's exactly what this album is. Raw and to the point.

I can't lie, this album isn't quite what I expected. I mean it is in places. Sort of. But there is a massive Deftones vibe running throughout the entire record. I don't have an issue with this at all, as I love Chino and his merry band of stoned musicians. I just wasn't expecting to hear that influence on a Glassjaw record. That said, they did make a name for themselves by combining a load of influences together. What harm is another ingredient to the recipe, ay? This album is unpredictable in places, and they definitely haven't lost that "edge of your seat" element. It's definitely equal parts destructive and beautiful too. All in all, this is the logical next step for them. It may have taken 15 years to finish the step (which I guess is more of a drawn out stride, or a lunge), but it's so good to hear them finally make it. They're back, and they have some time to make up for. Expect a new wave of solid post-hardcore to emerge. Glassjaw have just breathed new life into it.

D.S

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ALAZKA - Pheonix

Post-hardcore. A genre laden with passion, emotion, and energy in infectious levels. It's popularity has been on the rise for years, with bands like Glassjaw and At The Drive In paving the way for countless bands to follow. Bands that are appearing in the scene today display the genre in it's current evolved state, with polished production, uplifting melodies, pain-filled screams and equally pain-filled clean vocals. Hailing from Germany, ALAZKA are a fine example of this. Formerly Burning Down Alaska, they've undergone a rebrand, picked up a clean vocalist, and released an absolute corker of an album with Pheonix. One that holds nothing back. One that demands you listen to it.

Right from the very beginning of the album, you can tell that this is going to be an emotional journey. Opening tracks "Ghost" and "Empty Throne" are full of pain and heartbreak, especially in the vocals. The sheer grit and rawness of Tobias Rische paired with the powerful sultry tones of Kassim Auale are painting the same canvas with two separate brushes, leaving you with a colourful and brutally honest picture. The dynamics of both songs are tasteful and complimentary to the vocals, making the emotional delivery of the vocals more emotional and the power of the aggressive sections more aggressive. "Pheonix" and "Blossom" showcase the bands ability to write anthemic material, both boasting enormous choruses and immaculate melodies. Perfectly paced and bursting with heartbreak and agony, it's very hard to not feel something whilst listening, no matter how black or dead your heart might be. "Everything" provides a passionate change of pace in the middle of the album, slowing things right down and showing a musically lighter and more ballad driven side to the band. In a way I guess you could describe the whole album as ballads, as all of the songs are about very honest and heartfelt issues, but this song in particular really strips things back a little and adds some diversity to the album. The entire album is great, but the highlight for me is "Hearts of Gold", a slice of post-hardcore excellence from beginning to end. The chorus has a gang chant vibe about it and sounds enormous, sitting perfectly over the thick guitar chords and pounding drums. Dropping the volume in all the right places, tastefully rising and falling in all the right places and really erupting with feeling on the run up to the tracks close. Although technically not their debut, this album shows real promise and potential. I would be surprised if this album doesn't get them places.

A few years aho, I had listened to Values and Virtues, their album when they were known as Burning Down Alaska, and I can honestly say that I was underwhelmed by it. It was good, sure, but it wasn't anything special. They weren't doing anything particularly different, they were just another good post-hardcore band. But this album tells a different story. This album is leagues above their previous effort. Vocally impressive, musically tasteful and powerful, Pheonix sets them apart from their previous album and allows their reincarnation as ALAZKA to stand very much in it's own league. The Pheonix has risen.

D.S

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