When a band cites Strike Anywhere, Rise Against, Lagwagon, and Strung Out as influences, you have a pretty good impression of what you’re going to get before the CD hits the stereo. Belgium’s BREAK OF DAY do indeed quote those bands, as well as a few others, as influential, and sure enough they sound like you’d expect, only there’s a quality here that you might not envisage.
‘Illusions Burn’, the band’s second album, is a penetrating compendium of politically infused post-hardcore and melodic punk-rock. Expect rampaging guitars interspersed with harmonic choruses, the odd brutal beatdown, a raspy vocal, and an earnestness that marks the band out from some of its contemporaries. ‘Stature Of Bigotry’, the heaviest song on the record, is a monster of a tune, all in-your face, gnarly and mucus-spitting. At its core is the sort of hardcore that European bands really seemed to have mastered. But that core lends itself again to sweet melodies.
There’s a natural duality here that the band is utilising to full effect. ‘Farabundo’ doesn’t linger in the hardcore element as much, playing out more like SoCal punk-rock bands a la Pennywise and Strung Out, whereas ‘Dry Lungs’ takes the guttural Alexisonfire approach. Vocally Break Of Day impresses, an important tool if the band is to succeed. Lodged at the back end of the album is an acoustic secret track that highlights Teun Van Aerschot’s impressive voice. It’s also just a little bit reminiscent of Ignite.
‘Illusions Burn’ could easily been a high-profile U.S. release. Instead it’s an independent European record that impresses immensely, and portrays the mainland in a splendid light. If you were disappointed by this year’s Rise Against offering, or if you’re into your EpiFat punk-rock, Break Of Day is a band that should lift a smile to your face.
ALEX HAMBLETON