Release
date: December
11th
2018. Label: Self
Released.
Format: DD
57
Down – S/T –
Tracklisting
1.Crown
of Thorns 06:04
2.Sisters
of the Valley 03:30
3.EyeSaw
03:21
4.Stockholm
Calling 03:16
Members
Matt
Chapman - Bass
Billy
Law-Bregan - Bass
Johnny
Mittens - Vocals
Daryl
Hocking - Drums
Review
I
originally featured 57 Down on the blog earlier this year when I
featured them as a band to look out for. Well the band are here to
deliver on that statement with their self-titled debut EP. The EP is
a mixture of Grunge and Stoner Rock and draws influences from Alice
In Chains and Clutch in parts. I was expecting this EP to be a lot
heavier but 57 Down have still delivered a hard-rocking and highly
confident release.
Opening
song – Crown Of Thorns – is an old-fashioned Grunge/Stoner Rock
number with a soulful psychedelic groove holding everything together.
The vocals from Johnny
have a nineties alternative rock/metal feel to them and they match
the music superbly well. The song is not what you call flat-out
Stoner Rock. However this allows 57 Down to play different styles of
Hard Rock.
Second
song – Sisters Of The Valley – is a more straight-forward song
with the band having less time to play with compared to the opening
song. Though the song does take time to fully get going but the
vocals are perhaps the best part of the song. Lead singer Johnny
relishes his role here and perhaps puts his best vocal performance on
the EP. The song does have some of the heaviest moments on the EP and
they’re quite exciting to hear at times.
Third
Song – EyeSaw – is the standout song on the EP as the song opens
with a classic and jagged Hard Rock sound that soon gives way to 57
Down grizzled Grunge/Stoner Rock sound. The psychedelic vibes keeps
the mood vibrant and leaves you wanting more. The band even manage to
find time to include some heavy pounding NWOBHM sounds. As the song
has a harsher sound compared to the other songs on the EP.
Fourth
Song – Stockholm Calling – is perhaps the most “rocking” song
on the EP. I mean it’s perhaps the song that the band would use to
open a set with and get the crowd pumped up to rock out to or start a
mini-moshpit. The song is quite catchy and has a rebellious feel to
it.
The
production on the EP is good and you can feel the raw energy coming
from the band’s music. Though it would have been better if some
parts of the EP had more volume to it. As it can be too quiet for its
own good. Maybe with future releases 57 Down will sound heavier and
more dynamic as a result.
However this hasn’t stopped the band
releasing a strong and hugely entertaining record that will hopefully
get them noticed within the UK Hard Rock/Grunge/Stoner Rock scene. As
I do want to hear what the guys can do on a longer record.
Words
by Steve Howe
