There’s been a fairly response for Leeds based THIS VICIOUS CABARET so far, but their bio, which likens them to THRICE and ALEXISONFIRE, may be a little too generous.
On first listens of ‘City Of Ghosts’, the screeching guitar riffs are certainly the band’s strength, and while the lead vocals are quite distinct and consistent, they do sound a bit weak compared to the screaming that happens all over the place.
Lyrically, the opening track’s memories of lost love (“I just wanna hold you in my arms”) steer the band further from the post-hardcore tag they’ve attached themselves to, and on ‘New Disease’ it’s quite clear that this isn’t the most positive collection of songs as the band sing about “losing faith in fairytales”. If that all sounds a bit depressing, the final track’s “I swear I scar myself for you”, will really seal the deal.
Based on ‘City of Ghosts’, THIS VICIOUS CABARET probably won’t be headlining Download Festival any time soon, but if you like your rock and roll with growls and screams thrown in, it’s worth giving it a chance.
KRISTI GENOVESE