I’m not a huge fan of hardcore, or whatever name it’s going under this month. But there have been occasions where I’ve been bowled over by a band for one reason or another. The Bled are one of those bands. The Arizona boys like their music dark, and they wear their Coverge-meets-Radioheard influences on their sleeves, but to coin a phrase, ‘Pass The Flask’ fucking shreds. (sorry Ross…)
Fiddler Records in the US has already wowed me with the emotional pop-punk charges of Name Taken, but these boys push them even further for band-of-ther-roster. The Bled are heavy, but there’s an intricacy and melody underneath all the hardcore posterior. It’s heavy, but never overly so, so while the five-piece can come across like Norma Jean in one breath, they can be far more considered the next, without ever needing to go down the stop/start route or the sing/scream method favoured by the lazier –core bands.
James Munoz has a voice that shreds vocal chords for breakfast. On tracks like ‘You Know Who’s Seatbelt’ and the amazing ‘Spitshine Sonata’ the band beautifully bark their way through a cacophony of guitars, walls of feedback and fearsome drums. But while the guitars do bite, at times they work so well to be melodic, allowing Munoz to use his voice as an extra instrument – see ‘I Never Met Another Gemini’ for further proof.
The Bled have been one of those bands that US webzines have been muttering about for ages, but now it’s time for everyone else to play catch-up. With tracks as good as ‘Ruth Buzzi Better Watch Her Back’ and the bittersweet ‘Porcelain Hearts and Hammers For Teeth’, The Bled let their music do the talking. And the fighting. Watch out for these guys, because they’re going to make your ears bleed. And you will enjoy it.
www.thebled.net
Fiddler Records
Sorepoint Records
Paul
