Deborah Remus
07/30/08, 10:52 AM
The New Enemy - Outsourced EP
Record Label: None
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Who?
Toronto-based band that specializes in melodic hardcore reminiscent of bands like Kid Dynamite. Their debut EP, Outsourced, showcases these influences perfectly as well as their political edge. The quartet are supporters of Amnesty International, after all, and the band offers a free download of this EP off their Myspace with an optional donation going towards that cause.
How is it?
Nothing too different. The New Enemy choose to take cues from others and don't reinvent melodic hardcore but that's not always a bad thing - you already know what you are getting yourself into. The opener, "3 Sheets," begins with a thumping bassline before the crunchy guitars kick in, palm-muting powerchords in the verse above a simple drum beat. Obviously nothing we haven't heard before, but it still sounds great and you can tell it would be excellent for a mosh pit.
The only possible downside is the gravelly voice courtesy of vocalist Clint McLean, which certainly would be considered an acquired taste. "Black & Blue (Collars)" is probably the strongest track since McLean's gruff voice takes a backseat for some of it. The band also tosses in a cover of "pH Decontrol" off of Kid Dynamite's self-titled disc and it's almost spot on, just the same as the original. The only difference, again, is the voice is a lot rougher than Jason Shevchuk's if you even thought that was possible, seeing that Shevchuk's voice is already pretty gruff as it is.
Ultimately, if you're a huge hardcore fan and can actually enjoy McLean's voice, then the New Enemy are a band you really should check out. If not though, it's probably best to just keep these guys off your iPod.
Strike Anywhere, Kid Dynamite, Avail
myspace.com/thenewenemy (http://www.myspace.com/thenewenemy)
Record Label: None
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Who?
Toronto-based band that specializes in melodic hardcore reminiscent of bands like Kid Dynamite. Their debut EP, Outsourced, showcases these influences perfectly as well as their political edge. The quartet are supporters of Amnesty International, after all, and the band offers a free download of this EP off their Myspace with an optional donation going towards that cause.
How is it?
Nothing too different. The New Enemy choose to take cues from others and don't reinvent melodic hardcore but that's not always a bad thing - you already know what you are getting yourself into. The opener, "3 Sheets," begins with a thumping bassline before the crunchy guitars kick in, palm-muting powerchords in the verse above a simple drum beat. Obviously nothing we haven't heard before, but it still sounds great and you can tell it would be excellent for a mosh pit.
The only possible downside is the gravelly voice courtesy of vocalist Clint McLean, which certainly would be considered an acquired taste. "Black & Blue (Collars)" is probably the strongest track since McLean's gruff voice takes a backseat for some of it. The band also tosses in a cover of "pH Decontrol" off of Kid Dynamite's self-titled disc and it's almost spot on, just the same as the original. The only difference, again, is the voice is a lot rougher than Jason Shevchuk's if you even thought that was possible, seeing that Shevchuk's voice is already pretty gruff as it is.
Ultimately, if you're a huge hardcore fan and can actually enjoy McLean's voice, then the New Enemy are a band you really should check out. If not though, it's probably best to just keep these guys off your iPod.
Strike Anywhere, Kid Dynamite, Avail
myspace.com/thenewenemy (http://www.myspace.com/thenewenemy)