Dead Swans is the U.K. hardcore circuit's latest export to reach American soil, currently being championed by the folks over at Bridge Nine Records. Sleepwalkers marks the group's debut full-length and continues down a similar path of gnarling metallic hardcore that the band churned out on their previous offerings, the Southern Blue EP and split 7" with Architects.
The five-piece hardcore outfit waste no time with introductions when getting things started on Sleepwalkers. With "Thinking of You" the band immediately launches into a full-force assault on the listener. Backed with fierce guitars and a rumbling rhythm section, Dead Swans offer a blistering take on hardcore not unlike Blacklisted's Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God. The music is volatile and vocalist Nick Worthington definitely sounds pissed
unfortunately I wasn't given lyrics to this release so I can't tell if he is legitimately pissed off or just likes screaming a lot. That's sarcasm. But seriously, it's difficult to assess an album without the full product. In any event, one song in and things are off to a good start.
And this is where the rollercoaster ride begins. Throughout the album Dead Swans show moments of brilliance, but they also demonstrate that they are a very young group of musicians still figuring out their sound. As a result, Sleepwalkers comes off as very same-sounding and one-dimensional with the band wearing their influences on their sleeves. The majority of my listening experience was spent referencing American Nightmare or Blacklisted songs; the comparisons were often a bit too similar for my liking.
In spite of all this, I found songs like "Ivy Archway" and "Swallow" to be very impressive and pleasing to the ear. Equally as enjoyable were "So Far You've Only Made Things Worse," which was American Nightmare worship at its best and "Today, Tonight, Tomorrow," which juxtaposed mid-tempo rock riffing and metallic hardcore assault in perfect harmony.
Sleepwalkers is no doubt going to be a favorite with plenty of hardcore kids due to their label ties. And while Dead Swans' debut is worth noting, I feel it is definitely lacking in greatness. I honestly feel without being signed to Bridge Nine, the majority of the hardcore world would be oblivious to the band. And this is the biggest problem with the hardcore world, labels begin to become a brand after a while, and thus certain bands will automatically be successful no matter what they turn out. And if that makes me bitter, then so be it.
