bolgy99
09/28/09, 08:02 PM
City Escape - Avalanches
Record Label: Taperjean Records
Release Date: April 18, 2009
After only two years, the hard-working rock band City Escape deliver their debut EP, Avalanches. The four piece ambient rock/post-hardcore band from Melbourne, Australia have quickly created a name and a sound for themselves, layering raw, passionate vocals over intricate, fierce riffs and a catchy, intense beat, sure to please fans of The Receiving End Of Sirens and Closure In Moscow alike. Avalanches is the start of big things to come.
After the ambient samples of "Opener," the organized chaos of furious guitar riffs opens "When the Vultures Start to Circle," along with Jarrod Salton’s enticing, melodic vocals and Ross Wallbank echoing Salton’s words. Just when you become accustomed to Salton’s voice, the harsh, powerful backing vocals of drummer Andrew Richey tear through with an undoubtably hardcore edge. Although it may catch you off guard at first, Richey’s hardcore vocals help define City Escape’s sound whilst adding intensity and passion.
"Black Satellites" breaks in flawlessly at the end of "When the Vultures Start to Circle," as City Escape make their EP more than just a collection of songs, rather a flowing of themes linked throughout Avalanches. As the crunchy guitar chords drop off, Richey’s drumming controls the pace of the song along with Matthew Millard’s driving bass lines, as the song drops into a lull in the middle, only to be built up to Salton’s voice soaring once more. City Escape masterfully tease the listener with their changes of intensity in each song, utilizing each instrument’s potential as both a driving, powerful force and an intricate, melodic instrument.
Fans of The Receiving Ends Of Sirens would be proud, as "Now, The Hard Part" screams TREOS worship. Opening with samples into crunchy guitars at an energetic, medium pace, "Now, The Hard Part" could easily be mistaken for "Smoke and Mirrors" by the aforementioned, but with City Escape’s own touch on things. As the lead guitar wanders somewhat whimsically throughout, the three vocalists all contribute to produce a massive, epic sound. Once more City Escape drop to a single guitar, and then build the song with overlayed vocals and upbeat drumming, finally fading out their standout track on the EP.
"Give My Remains To Broadway" is a good display of City Escape’s heavier side, not through screaming as such, but with distorted guitar chords and a more frantic, punk style during the choruses. In their typical fashion, the song still rings with epic, higher-range vocals throughout the verses, balancing the heavier choruses and delivering signature City Escape style.
Closing tracks "The Deeper Water" and "Closer" finish the EP beautifully. The former displays City Escape’s ability to produce epic ambient rock, whilst "Closer" uses the same samples from "Opener" to signify the conclusion of Avalanches, with a few final words from Salton.
Avalanches displays beauty, aggression, and intensity, all thrown together with talented musicians and endearing vocals which are sure to bring City Escape to the forefront of the Australian music scene. It’s safe to say we can expect big things from the young Melbourne band.
The Receiving End Of Sirens, Closure In Moscow
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/cityescaperock)
Record Label: Taperjean Records
Release Date: April 18, 2009
After only two years, the hard-working rock band City Escape deliver their debut EP, Avalanches. The four piece ambient rock/post-hardcore band from Melbourne, Australia have quickly created a name and a sound for themselves, layering raw, passionate vocals over intricate, fierce riffs and a catchy, intense beat, sure to please fans of The Receiving End Of Sirens and Closure In Moscow alike. Avalanches is the start of big things to come.
After the ambient samples of "Opener," the organized chaos of furious guitar riffs opens "When the Vultures Start to Circle," along with Jarrod Salton’s enticing, melodic vocals and Ross Wallbank echoing Salton’s words. Just when you become accustomed to Salton’s voice, the harsh, powerful backing vocals of drummer Andrew Richey tear through with an undoubtably hardcore edge. Although it may catch you off guard at first, Richey’s hardcore vocals help define City Escape’s sound whilst adding intensity and passion.
"Black Satellites" breaks in flawlessly at the end of "When the Vultures Start to Circle," as City Escape make their EP more than just a collection of songs, rather a flowing of themes linked throughout Avalanches. As the crunchy guitar chords drop off, Richey’s drumming controls the pace of the song along with Matthew Millard’s driving bass lines, as the song drops into a lull in the middle, only to be built up to Salton’s voice soaring once more. City Escape masterfully tease the listener with their changes of intensity in each song, utilizing each instrument’s potential as both a driving, powerful force and an intricate, melodic instrument.
Fans of The Receiving Ends Of Sirens would be proud, as "Now, The Hard Part" screams TREOS worship. Opening with samples into crunchy guitars at an energetic, medium pace, "Now, The Hard Part" could easily be mistaken for "Smoke and Mirrors" by the aforementioned, but with City Escape’s own touch on things. As the lead guitar wanders somewhat whimsically throughout, the three vocalists all contribute to produce a massive, epic sound. Once more City Escape drop to a single guitar, and then build the song with overlayed vocals and upbeat drumming, finally fading out their standout track on the EP.
"Give My Remains To Broadway" is a good display of City Escape’s heavier side, not through screaming as such, but with distorted guitar chords and a more frantic, punk style during the choruses. In their typical fashion, the song still rings with epic, higher-range vocals throughout the verses, balancing the heavier choruses and delivering signature City Escape style.
Closing tracks "The Deeper Water" and "Closer" finish the EP beautifully. The former displays City Escape’s ability to produce epic ambient rock, whilst "Closer" uses the same samples from "Opener" to signify the conclusion of Avalanches, with a few final words from Salton.
Avalanches displays beauty, aggression, and intensity, all thrown together with talented musicians and endearing vocals which are sure to bring City Escape to the forefront of the Australian music scene. It’s safe to say we can expect big things from the young Melbourne band.
The Receiving End Of Sirens, Closure In Moscow
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/cityescaperock)