Get Your Blogs Out

Brighton based five-piece Dead Swans have spent the last three years building up a tremendous reputation as Britain’s finest hardcore representatives, with support slots with the likes of Alexisonfire, Gallows, This is Hell and Architects, bringing them to the attention of Bridge 9 Records, arguably the biggest hardcore label in the world at the moment. The result of this union twixt band and label is Dead Swans’ debut album “Sleepwalkers”, released this week.

Now, let’s be clear from the outset here: Dead Swans are not trying to reinvent the wheel with their debut. Upon first listen, Dead Swans appear to be wearing their influences, not just on their collective sleeve, but also on their T-shirts, jeans and shoes.  Take a healthy chunk of Give Up the Ghost, a smattering of The Hope Conspiracy  and a few meaty breakdowns and  you’ve basically got the recipe for this album. Despite being somewhat predictable, “Sleepwalkers” is one fine record.

“Thinking of You” kicks things off in fine style, with some wailing feedback exploding into chunky riffs and ferocious vocals at breakneck speed. One thing is obvious: frontman Nick is a very, very angry man. Quite how he keeps his screams so dense and consistent is a mystery to me but it’s impressive stuff. “Ascension” and “Ivy Archway” follow in the same vein, with “Ivy Archway” in particular featuring some nice dynamics and the obligatory gang vocals (never trust a hardcore band that doesn’t have gang vocals on their record).

As the album continues, it begins to become difficult to notice where one song finishes and the others start but I find that to be one of the best things about this record. It’s not really a collection of 12 tracks, it’s an album that needs to be played from start to finish, as a complete piece of music. “Winter Overture” offers some respite from the unrelenting pummeling that “Sleepwalkers” dishes out, with the instrumental track almost veering into – gasp! – post rock territory. Don’t worry though, after a couple of minutes the 45 second-long aural beating that is “Hide and Seek” kicks in and we’re back to business as usual. From beginning to end this album is an uncompromising and visceral statement that will offer most people their first taste of British hardcore, a scene that, slowly but surely, is being rejuvenated.

Dead Swans have certainly stuck to the old adage of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” with “Sleepwalkers” but have also left some small clues that hint of more ambitious things to come, if the band decide to make a second full length album (let’s be honest, it’s never a sure thing in hardcore).

Now, someone pass me a banadana. I’m going to loiter on a street corner and look angry.