When Zoli Teglas, former vocalist of Orange County s Ignite left the band everybody thought it is over with the band, me inclusive. Although bassist Brett is the only original member remaining in the band, I am so glad these melodic hardcore institution continued with teasing us on their social media with photos from studio, recording new music and keeping new voice secret, making me guess who the heck is it. We only knew it is not Zoli again. But, I never imagined Eli Santana of Holy Grail would be their choice. This guy has one of the nicest voices I have heard in a long time. This new e.p. contains new song, being title song and great video full of energy and it is so great to have more uptempo hardcore Ignite with energy, melody and great lyrics with superb melodies. The other song is a remake of an old classic taken from debut album. I can t wait for the new album, I have the feeling it is going to be superb.
Orange County´s melodic hardcore heroes Stick To Your Guns had many plans for 2020 but for reasons known to everybody those plans went bust. But, the guys didn´t despair, but delivered new seven inch e.p. containing four songs. This time, the band presents to the people on their more gentle acoustic side, three of the songs being acoustic renditions of STYG songs, fourth one being a cover of A-HA´s classic Take On Me. What to say? The songs done in such acoustic way sound more dark and have that sad and melancholic vibe which make you realize again and again why you love hardcore so much, music which can give you all the emotions you can relate to. Amber sounds awesome in this arrangement and is one of my personal favorites on this record besides fantastic version of classic pop song. Nobody and Forgiveness Of Self sound so sad and yet so hopeful at the same time, especially Nobody with great backing vocal harmonies and the whole song just made goosebumps crawling on my skin. This is a great seven inch, go get it, listen and see the other side of this fantastic band.
Now, this band is a real discovery. Lost Issue are playing basically hardcore punk and this is their four song e.p. But, they mix the fast hardcore punk with melody of horrorpunk and skatepunk, but also with goth and streetpunk influences, thus making one damn fine record with fast music, angry yet melodic vocals and anthemic choruses just made for singing along.
My personal favorites on this record are Lost Issue and Mechanical Hate, being fast almost streetpunk songs with attitude, balls and brains in the songwriting. But, Fire Away and Now That You´re Gone are also superb songs. I am so glad I discovered this one. Can´t wait for the full record.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 