Album Review: Safe Hands - 'Against the Wrecking Ball'

With so many bands attempting to make it big by cookie cutting the latest super group from the states, it's refreshing to find Safe Hands, a band that takes their influences and makes it their own. Obvious influences of early Every Time I Die can be heard from the get go, and thankfully it sounds more like a flavour, rather than a direct rip off. The lyrics are written well even if they tend to be a bit cliché at times; this does not detract from the sound thankfully.

Through the 6 tracks, their EP varies in style and feel. The first track, "Sweater or Blood", gives you an idea of what you're in for, with its abrasive and not so straightforward rhythms. The third track "He Is Cutthroat (Zednik's First Fleet And The Ship Of Lost Souls)" turns the listener on their head with chug-chugging riffs, growling vocals and an almost comical sludgy break down (I'm still undecided as to whether Safe Hands are being completely serious in this song). The following track "Astronomy? Astronoyou!" (which gave me a guilty chuckle at the song title) is the album's epic, made specifically for kids to do fly kicks across the pit to. I really do love this song apart from some slightly out of tempo guitar work in the middle.

The fifth track "Who Killed Bruce Springsteen And Made You The Boss?" is a surprising piece of work. At first you think you're in for a straightforward mosh song, until you hear the jilted breakdown of a piano. My hat goes off to any hardcore band that can pull off an interesting "pianocore" song that'd still make the dance floor move. I hope Safe Hands can somehow keep it in their live show.

Unfortunately "Against the Wrecking Ball" ends on a low note. The final track "Velocirhapsody" is weak in comparison to the rest of the EP, as the vocals seem to be headed in the opposite direction to the other 5 tracks. This loss of consistency leaves you frustrated and wanting more of the aggressive and interesting music the rest of the EP contains.

Safe Hands can be proud of what they have done with "Against the Wrecking Ball", which is a very worthwhile listen. The band have shown they are not content with just making safe hardcore. Rather, they made something interesting to listen to, which is a quality shown by few these days. This EP proves that there is plenty more ammunition in this Newcastle band's armoury. I will definitely be keeping an eye on Safe Hands from now on.