Like metal? Like hardcore? Like them blended together in a polished and punchy package? Then you’ll probably like BAILER. Hailing from Cork City, Ireland, these 4 lads are on a warpath with no signs of slowing down. Following on from releases in both 2016 and 2017, they now have their self titled EP ready to unleash unto the world. Buckle up, kids. Even if you aren’t in a car, find something that resembles a seatbelt and make sure you’re strapped in. This is not a gentle ride.
The first thing I noticed about this EP is the sheer quality of the recording. The guitar tone in particular is monstrous, perfectly marrying weight and bite with clarity. It’s like being punched in the face with the softest material you can think of. The bass is snappy and thick too, and has its own space in the mix which is really nice to hear. A lot of records lose the bass amongst the wailing of the guitars, but it really bellows through the mix here. The quality of the production really lifts the entire record, and it’s audible right from the get go with Lying For A Living. Immediately thrusting breakneck pace into your ears, then constantly toying with the feel and changing the pace; you don’t get a chance to settle down. But they don’t want you to settle. They want you holding on to the edge of your seat. Tuesday Blues is a slightly slower affair, but it’s in no means any less aggressive. Every chord is a wrecking ball, slugging along at an infectious pace that’s impossible to not headbang to. Feel It More has an almost doomy sludge feel to it, featuring some really dark sounding passages with venomous vocals draped over them for good measure. Long Gone is a slice of genius, combining all the elements of modern hardcore and throwing them all together to make one big moshfest. All the breaks are full of so much energy and are at times completely unexpected which, for me at least, adds to the heaviness. The absolute star of the EP though is the closing track Death Is A Reminder. A dark and brooding affair from start to finish, chugging along through a barrage of dirty riffs that include a brief detour into thrash and a surprise breakdown that hits like a sledgehammer. This is a short but powerful EP that quite clearly showcases that BAILER aren’t a flash in the pan. There is real potential here. They’re here to take over.
They cite their influences as bands like Every Time I Die, Cancer Bats and The Dillinger Escape Plan. And you know what? You can hear all three in this record. The unpredictability, the dark and dirty riffs, the underlying southern feel, and most importantly the sheer balls to the wall attitude and atmosphere that’s oozing out of it. They remind me of an early Gallows in a few places too, particularly in the verses and in some of their chord change choices. This EP is seriously impressive, and anybody that’s a fan of the bands mentioned will undoubtedly get a kick out of this. Keep an eye out for these guys, and keep your ears on this EP.
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