Destined For Bigger Things
As a band it's safe to say that Bayside have had their fair share of ups and downs. Over their eleven year career the New York natives have had to deal with everything from a bus crash which saw the tragic death of their band mate, John 'Beatz' Holohan to more recent problems with record labels resulting in their move away from Victory Records to Wind-Up Records. Such upheavals would have spelt the end for some bands but instead of throwing in the towel, Bayside have persevered, and with their latest release, "Killing Time" now might just be time that they step into the big leagues where they truly belong.
Shrugging off the 'emo' tag that was haphazardly stapled to the band so many years ago, "Killing Time" instantly propels Bayside into the realms of pure, unquestionable rock in all its passion driven, anger fused glory. Album opener 'Already Gone' launches a guitar fuelled attack, all infectious drum beats laced with pounding bass lines which mingle with the full force of Anthony Raneri's vocals as they blend seamlessly with the band's harmonies, making for an opening track that is hard to resist, and this is just the start! 'Sick, Sick, Sick' offers up a stabbing slice of pop punk complete with hatred seeping from each lyric backed brilliantly by sinister riffs and even the odd blast of gang vocals to guarantee 'Sick, Sick, Sick' will be stuck in your head for the next 24 hours at the very least. 'Mona Lisa' finds the band veering into radio friendly territory, all melodic fused riffs and sing along harmonies, but with lyrics demanding that "you've made your bed, now go die in it" there's still enough of the old Bayside ebbing through to insure all that the band aren't about to sell out, a fact reinforced with 'It's a Nice Little War', again wielding melodic riffs and some irresistible "woahs" whilst still retaining the original allure of Bayside.
Ultimately though it is the album's closer and title track, 'Killing Time' that steals the show. Drenched in frustration fed resentment, 'Killing Time' boasts raging riffs that collide alongside biting lyrics that snarl "spend all my life waiting for a moment to come// Walking single file waiting for a moment to come, but it won't// I'm halfway to happy now, and I always mistake it for progress". This is Bayside back at their best; honest punk that speaks from the heart with a bite to match.
Three years since their last full length release and with a new label to boot, does this mean we are getting a new Bayside? In short, no; whilst the band have certainly evolved their sound, growing as a band, there is still enough of the old sound fans fell in love with from the punk punch beats to intense, intelligent lyrics which put other bands to shame, leaving them appearing lazy in the shadow of Bayside. "Killing Time" is Bayside back on form, proving once more that this is a band that is shamefully underrated and screaming yet again for Bayside to get the acclaim that is so over due.