EP REVIEW: Tidor

South London’s Tidor are winning over fans left right and centre with their powerful and atmospheric live shows. It has made them a Wildfire favourite in a short time, and the buzz that is beginning to make Tidor a name in their hometown will doubtless continue to spread the more they play.

But this is no good if a band can’t deliver when it comes to recording. Wildfire picked up a copy of new EP ‘Tidor’ (I kind of love that their EP, album and frontman are all called Tidor, it’s like Being John Malkovich but… not), to see if the band are as good on your mp3 player as they are on stage.

First track ‘Mind’ is a dirty rock track, all grinding guitars and raw, open vocals. It’s kind of 90’s grunge meets the harder side of rock with enough rhythm to keep it fresh and exciting. Once the chorus breaks, ‘Mind’ is a non stop rush that builds and builds, lets up for a moment then smashes into the final riffs with no care for the personal safety of the listener.

‘No Way Out’, next up, is a moody slice of old-school rock, slightly reminiscent of every post-grunge band the early 2000’s had to offer with that distinctive Tidor sound to it that makes it original. From the start a drawling gothic build up turns into a pretty picked out melody, which then breaks into full on rocking out for the final moments.

When Tidor rock, they ROCK, leaving you unsure when the quiet, almost poppy intro to ‘Lite Boks’ rolls around. Thankfully, when Tidor do introspective they do it better. The vocals here really take a lead as vocalist Tidor’s unusual voice has a haunting quality that does atmospheric better than anything else. ‘Lite Boks’ is stripped back and melodic (and stupidly pretty) but the band can’t resist reminding the listener that they’re still hardcore with a quiet-into-heavy bit at the end that is so unexpected and intense that it makes the song by far the most memorable of the EP.

Tidor are a band that demands attention, both musically recorded and physically in their stage shows. We suggest you make them one of your favourites before everyone else does, you crowd-follower you.

Check out, follow and love Tidor here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tidor-The-Band/312720047988

EP REVIEW: Fei Comodo - The Life They Lead

Essex isn't exactly notorious for producing fantastic alternative music, instead being famous for something 'the kids' are referring to as TOWIE (and that's all I ever want to know about it), and for being the origin of the names Sharon and Tracy.

Fei Comodo are trying to put this to rights with second EP The Life They Lead, released on the 2nd May as a follow up to 2010's They All Have Two Faces, and comprising a screamy hardcore sound with melodic vocals to create something genuinely fresh and exciting.

The overall EP is a slickly recorded mix of chugging, hardcore riffs, pretty layered vocals and mind-bogglingly complex drums, with an emphasis on the progressive despite a relatively mainstream sound. The songs, despite never falling into the verse/chorus/verse standard that sadly sets truly original music apart from the stuff you're at all likely to hear on MTV, have an accessibility to them that should appeal widely to different audiences whilst still being heavy enough not to alienate "METAL" types.

First track No Way Out actually sounds like a single, with plenty of anthemic bits and almost Bullet For My Valentine guitar riffs, all complimented by frontman Marc Halls' pretty, clear (if VERY Essex) vocals.

Rival Tides, although not a stand out track, has a layered feel to it that means it grows on you with every listen, whilst A Man Left Behind is Fei Comodo at their best, conforming most closely to the sound debuted with They All Have Two Faces - complex yet singalong, with a good dose of straight up, balls-out metal lest you forget what we're all here for.

Bare Feet and Broken Glass is almost a new direction for Fei Comodo, as they go all moody and atmospheric on us. Pacey enough that it doesn't sound like a Marilyn Manson demo, and with enough screaming and intense riffery to it that it continues to surprise long after we've reached the halfway mark, Bare Feet... hints at a subtle turn for the band, from a raw "oh, this sounds like..." sound to a real signature sound to work with.

The Life They Lead is energetic, exciting and original, and we love it as though it were one of our own. Buy it now from www.feicomodo.com, or itunes, priced £3.16 (randomly).

EP REVIEW: Sky Harbour - togetheralone

Brighton alternative rock band Sky Harbour recently impressed the crowd at Wildfire's first Exposure night, where we picked up their EP togetheralone to see if their brand of energetic rock would translate into recording.

The short answer is yes. But that wouldn't make this a particularly in depth review so let's elaborate. Fun and punky with big choruses and bigger energy, Sky Harbour sound a bit like Taking Back Sunday, a bit like Fightstar, and a lot like summertime in a skate park (which would be a great name for a band but actually just describes the mood).

Vocalist Josh has a strong, clear voice which compliments the adept and powerful musicianship of his band. Hooky as hell, togetheralone is singalong and, most importantly, fun. Bouncy guitars layered over crashing drums create a hugely enjoyable ambience to the entire EP, but most clearly in Neck Deep, which is reminiscent of The Used in the old days before they got all serious and angsty.

Transparent has a more downbeat feel to it, which gives the band a chance to demonstrate their anthemic appeal, whilst Days of Disenchantment gives the band a chance to get all Rise Against political - without the screaming. If there was to be a single on the EP, it's Make Like Ghosts which, although not exactly reinventing the wheel, is ridiculously catchy and clever, with a picked out guitar melody under a thrashy straight-up rock song, and a chorus of massive proportions.

togetheralone is a bright and intimidatingly polished release from a band who may be young but clearly know exactly what they're doing.

EP REVIEW: The Lost Audio - Self Titled

South London Funk/Rock quartet The Lost Audio recently dropped a copy of their new self-titled EP on the proverbial Wildfire desk and we were all too happy to sit back, crank up the stereo and see what all the fuss is about!

Recorded at Ruff Rockers studios and mastered at Metropolis in Chiswick, the first thing that hits you about this EP is how professional it sounds. This is radio-ready stuff!

Listening to the first track ‘Straight and Narrow’ you are straight away hit with a funky guitar riff that is immediately impressive. This blends nicely into a bouncing drum beat and smooth bass lines. A nice contrasting bridge in terms of feel and tone leads into a rocking chorus that no doubt sounds fantastic live. This is a band you NEED to see live.

This is followed up by ‘Eye For An Eye’ with has a groove led introduction which quickly slides into the more familiar smooth funk territory for the verse. What hits you next is a complete contrast, a hard hitting, overdriven guitar ridden thumping chorus, which will have you nodding your head whether you like it or not! One thing this band does very well is the mixing of the different musical styles - one moment you are being captured and floating away on some smooth basslines and guitar riffs, the next you are banging your head to the heavy choruses.

‘Shine’ showcases the band’s rock, funk and jazz influences, flitting between them throughout the song. But not in a messy way, oh no, it just sounds like how it’s “meant to sound”, with smooth transitions between each segment to create an effortlessly complete song. With riffage seemingly inspired by the Velvet Revolver camp, hard hitting bouncy drums and a popping bass on this lends a great foundation for the vocal lines. And what great vocal lines they are! ‘Shine’ showcases singer Ben’s vocal abilities, going from soft vocals to powerful chorus lines.

And now to my stand out track ‘Burning Bridges’. With a simply fantastic introduction reminiscent of the great grunge acts of the 90s, it slowly builds and builds throughout the verse, with the drums becoming more and more frantic until it hits you. Hard. As it breaks with a fantastic vocal note from Ben, you are suddenly immersed in a grunge/rock riff that would intimidate the most well-established of bands. This pace and power is continued throughout the rest of the song, building a brilliantly crafted rock/grunge song. In honour of this, please find ‘Burning Bridges’ below this review for your listening pleasure.

One thing to give special mention to (and not just because I’m a guitarist) is the appropriate use of guitar effects here. There’s no over the top distortion, overbearing reverb or imposing delays. A lot of time was clearly put into the effect sound to give each of them, from the overdriven sounds of ‘Burning Bridges’ to the smooth jazz tinged verses of “Shine”, an authentic, complimentary feel.

All in all, The Lost Audio are definitely a band to watch. Their songwriting is tight and concise, with enough hooks to keep you listening but not to cheapen the overall sound. These are 4 guys who obviously appreciate a broad range of music, from funk to rock to hip-hop, and bring in great elements of each to form their sound. I highly recommend you listen to the EP, it’s streaming free on their ReverbNation page (www.revernation.com/thelostaudio) and is well worth the time. And once you’ve done that, see them live. That’s an order. Albeit a very gentle one…

The Lost Audio will be playing a very special gig headlining a Cancer Research charity fundraiser on the 2nd April @ Scream Lounge Croydon.

www.revernation.com/thelostaudio

EP REVIEW: Bad Sign - Exit

A well-established Croydon band in their own right, Bad Sign are a band on the way up with a strong fan base, an intimidating tour schedule and, now, an EP which is set to take your metalley little eardrums by storm.

First track ‘Unknown’ has a grungey recorded-in-a-cellar sound (in a good way). A moody, undulating start, with carefully picked out melodies and a clear, raw vocal swings suddenly into a straight up rock chorus that moves you suddenly from mild depression to a sort of rock-based elation. After a discordant breakdown, Bad Sign suddenly go all punk on yo’ ass, ending ‘Unknown’ with a section of dirty riffage that you feel the need to throw your hair and/or arms around to, ending suddenly and schizophrenically with some muted scratching sounds (perhaps attempting to leave the cellar).

‘Existence’ feels like a more straightforward rock song. Muscular riffs and steady but uplifting vocals, this is a far less complex song than it’s predecessor, but definitely not worse off for it.

Third track ‘Eclipse’ has a spaced out trippy feel to it, which lurches between melodic and relaxed to soaring and hard-edged. Vocalist Joe, despite being obviously more comfortable with a growling tone, experiments very prettily with a high note that shows off his vocal abilities and sparks a kind of musical adrenalin rush that really makes this track stand out.

‘Inertia’ is, frankly, stunning as a quiet melody compliments a hushed, almost underlying vocal. This contrasts with a huge chorus that sounds like it’s from a different song, but somehow works being all mixed up with effects-laden riffs and squeals and all held together with a steady drum beat that lends a feeling of completeness to a song which otherwise might not have had the same impact. This is musical heroin, full of extreme highs, crashing lows and the desperate need for more.

Finally, ‘Exit’ completes the EP with another more conservative song built to rock you, and everyone you love. This has a traditional rock feel to it, somewhat reminiscent of, and excuse my language, Nickleback. But old school Nickleback before Chad Kroeger disappeared completely up his own bottom, with those raw riffs, heavy but accessible beats and aggressive vocals.

Bad Sign are a band that may be popular as of now, but haven’t garnered nearly the attention they deserve.

This EP should ensure they get it.

Don’t believe me? Well firstly you can go to hell, then check it out yourself.

http://www.myspace.com/badsignband

Eclipse by badsignband