We Die Tonight - Stem The Tide
Having already impressed punters with their debut effort "Fall From Grace", which sparked support slots with many scene favourites, the pressure was definitely on for hardcore honchos We Die Tonight to deliver on their follow-up release.
Fortunately, these Londoners clearly take pride in exceeding expectations, as second time around sees the group take their sound in a heavier, harder and incredibly stronger direction.
Recruiting a new vocalist has clearly influenced the Southerners noise and has encouraged them to shy away from the cleaner styles that consumed their initial release. This is immediately apparent on 'Dancing With Daggers', the opening track on their new EP "Stem The Tide". It doesn't prove for easy listening if you are looking to chill out and unwind, but this irate and in-your-face track is going to triumph at live shows, it is almost too easy to imagine the chaos it will cause.
'Ecstasy' is also another destructive dose of hardcore, battering breakdowns, hell-raising screams and deafening drums all make an appearance, as does an unexpected It Prevails-style melodic surge, which eventually twists into a closing soaring chant of "In Ecstasy". Fluently flowing into 'Salt In The Shark Bite', the track is the closest in style to the band's back catalogue, offering sought-after shouts and smooth vocals, whilst musically remaining rapid and rowdy.
Rounding it all off is 'Best Dressed In Blasphemy', which proves to be as snazzy as its title. Its this song that stands out the most amongst the four, striking the perfect, faultless balance between heavy and soft, intertwining guitar-driven melodies and dazzling drum beats with ample amounts of singing, shouting and screaming. If Vanna, Bury Tomorrow and The Ghost Inside were to merge, they would construct a concoction exactly like this.
"Stem The Tide" is an immense effort that will not leave you disappointed. We Die Tonight are onto something big, if their debut full-length follows a similar route, then needless to say they won't be an underground act for much longer.