Our Last Night
They’re the latest addition to the Epitaph roster, the New Hampshire based hardcore/screamo outfit ‘Our Last Night’ here with their explosive debut album “The Ghosts Among Us”.
After forming in 2004, the group (who were still in school at this point) self released their first EP “We’ve Been Holding Back”. Along with some relentless gigging they began attracting quite a solid fan base and it wasn’t long before second EP “Building Cities From Scratch” came about. Following this release ‘Our Last Night’ gained some record label interest and in early 2007 the group signed with the well known and legendary, yet still independent record label Epitaph. After some hard work in the studio with producer Steve Evetts best known for his work with Dillinger Escape Plan and Every Time I Die, the band completed “The Ghosts Among Us”
Musically “The Ghosts..” ranges from the straight up hardcore to the melodic and catchy. There is no doubt that this is a tried and tested formula and in most cases lacking in originality but ‘Our Last Night’ do appear slightly more refreshing. Whether this is due to the high standard of production, their obvious technical talent and ability to write a pretty good tune, or the fact that their signed to a label associated with some of the best punk and hardcore bands around. Either way the emotionally charged, passionate and aggressive sound does have a certain infectious appeal, there’s just something about hearing powerful and heavy music balanced with something expressive and gentle. Dual vocals contribute to the contrasting dynamics and tone, provided by brothers Trevor and Matt Wentworth, layered over technical riffs and the necessary hardcore breakdowns. The song structures also have a sense of maturity, with the band focusing on the song writing rather than the riffs, they have differentiated themselves from the saturated scene.
To be brutally honest I must add that the formula is nothing new and there are far too many melodic hardcore bands around for ‘Our Last Night’ to stand above them all. What I can say however is that they have so far contributed something pretty good to the scene, they’ve signed to a label that will give them a good stance in the hardcore/punk community and they’ve got the singles such as “Escape” to give them a leg up. Anyone who is curious to check them out should do so with an open mind.