Review / 200 Words Or Less
Bayonet
Self Titled

Mightier Than Sword (2011) Jon E.

Bayonet – Self Titled cover artwork
Bayonet – Self Titled — Mightier Than Sword, 2011

Bayonet is a Jersey super group or sorts. taking members from such bands as Senses Fail, The Banner among others. In any situation like this it is hard to tell if the project is really a band in itself or merely something spat out for fun. One can hardly assume what this will sound like as each members prior (or main) project have at best only slight similarities to each other.

Bayonet was announced as a band and their record within a short period of each other so one may ask how does it really stack up? Pretty good in general is the answer. Here's how it works, take the heavier moments of Senses Fail, the metallic leanings of The Banner and boil it into an above average hardcore band.

The tempos abound and everything works well in general throughout the EP. The metallic lead in the opener "Nightmare" makes the mid paced part resonate while the next track "Who's gonna want me now" speeds by in under a minute. These bits and pieces coalesce throughout the EP making for a fun listen that carries alot of anger. The main complain is the inevitable bum out when Buddy starts to sing (or whine) in certain songs. This action does little to keep the feeling of the song.

Overall Bayonet have done something good. They have made an album that shows a proficiency for making fun heavy songs that spout anger. Luckily this band seems to be more than the sum of their parts.

7.2 / 10Jon E. • December 12, 2011

Bayonet – Self Titled cover artwork
Bayonet – Self Titled — Mightier Than Sword, 2011

Related news

Bayonet to release debut

Posted in Bands on June 8, 2011

Bayonet Debut Music

Posted in MP3s on August 3, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

The Phase Problem

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)

I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more

Totally Slow

The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)

I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their forebearers, the songs … Read more

Steamachine

City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)

City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more