Electronics v Metal
This two-song sampler from Hull's Nerve Hammer was an incredibly difficult review to write. Not only is the music a blend of Machine Head and The Prodigy, but the band only consists of a vocalist, guitarist and a guy on programming, loops, pops, fizzes and everything else. Nerve Hammer, as you can tell, aren't a band in the conventional sense of the word, but a band nonetheless. To do away with a whole rhythm section is a risky step, one in which Nerve Hammer both take successfully yet stumble over as well.
A well-sampled acoustic kit is used for the drums on these two tracks. The way they are programmed immediately cry out 'drum patterns,' however their authentic sound helps compliment Steve's meaty guitars, and when they launch into a double bass attack these demo tracks impress. What also impresses are the choice of samples and sounds used by Lee. At 2:04 on Arena the thrashing breaks into an almost drum n bass style trip through space. It's a great and yet unexpected turn from a song that was a bit of tuneless din up to that point. The band play this trick again both at the end and in 'You Bleed', arguably the better of the two songs on offer, by successfully changing the direction of the track before bringing it back to the chorus.
Nerve Hammer use their electronics to great effect unlike a couple of the bands that I've reviewed recently. The sounds are well placed and never out stay their welcome, nor do they have an over bearing on the main basis of the band which is 'metal'. On the down side Legger's vocals are a little too forced choosing to shout rather than explore any other vocals talents he may have. I think using a mix of clean and rough vocals, along with harmonies and also electronically effected vocal lines would have made his part in the band a little more interesting. With only three members in your band I feel it's important to play to your strengths. In Nerve Hammer's case I feel this would include interesting electronics (which they've nailed), big, fat guitars riffs and production (rurning the guitars up a little would work wonders) and innovative vocals, which at the moment are quite tiresome after a couple of listens.
No matter how your band is set up and what you use to create your sound I guess the bottom line is 'are the songs any good?' Thankfully the two on offer are fairly decent examples of electronic metal without being completely mind blowing. But they are good enough to generate an interest in their forth-coming album, which is the whole point I think. From this reviewer's point of view I think more metal in the guitars, and vocals that have had a little more thought put into them would be the order of the day.
www.myspace.com/nervehammer