Aberdare based up-starts unleash their début album, all guns blazing.
In the few years REAPER IN SICILY have been together, they have slowly but surely cemented themselves as one of the best rising talents to emerge from Wales since the likes of THE BLACKOUT. With EP's such as "Chapters" and "Eden" they have proven their ability to perfectly blend rough and ready guitar's with pop-infused melodies to great effect. Developing their own sound within a very crowded and very competitive scene.
Vocalist Rhys John Bernardo is immediately recognizable with one of rocks great unique vocal ranges. His voice stands out in the same way that Brian Molko of PLACEBO does, and that adds to the bands appeal. They aren't a carbon copy of any other post-hardcore unit which is very refreshing.
Coming to the new album itself, "Islands", what we have is a continuation of the bands desire to hone their craft and find the ideal balance between the heavy and the harmonious. To help them achieve this, the band entrusted the more than capable hands of producer Romesh Dodangoda, who has worked with the likes of FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND and KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES. Together, they have provided us with 10 tracks of energetic, up beat rock which is simply a joy to listen to. Opening track "The Prisoner" which was used as the first lyric video to promote the album sets the pace with instantly likeable catchy hooks and a sing-along chorus.
First official single "Horizons" saw the band broaden their, well, horizons (sorry) even further, with it's video being played on Kerrang! TV and the song being aired on Kerrang! Radio. It's a brilliant heavy pop song, easy on the ears but maintains the grit and swag you'd come to expect from the Welsh quintet.
Title track "Islands" is a beautifully written number, as close to a ballad as things get without taking the foot too far off the gas, while tracks such as "Sunny Dale Sucks" and "The Catalina Wine Mixer" show the boys are prepared to not take themselves overly seriously by incorporating themes from films and TV shows they enjoy, clearly having fun in the making of this album. The final track on the album, "Chuck Norris Got A Chainsaw" speaks for itself.
All in all, "Islands" is a superb début from the valleys 5-piece, and after already having earned support slots with the likes of ESCAPE THE FATE and HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS, and with song writing skills such as they have, this band is going places. Watch this space. [8]
"Islands" is available now: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/islands/id655789816
In the few years REAPER IN SICILY have been together, they have slowly but surely cemented themselves as one of the best rising talents to emerge from Wales since the likes of THE BLACKOUT. With EP's such as "Chapters" and "Eden" they have proven their ability to perfectly blend rough and ready guitar's with pop-infused melodies to great effect. Developing their own sound within a very crowded and very competitive scene.
Vocalist Rhys John Bernardo is immediately recognizable with one of rocks great unique vocal ranges. His voice stands out in the same way that Brian Molko of PLACEBO does, and that adds to the bands appeal. They aren't a carbon copy of any other post-hardcore unit which is very refreshing.
Coming to the new album itself, "Islands", what we have is a continuation of the bands desire to hone their craft and find the ideal balance between the heavy and the harmonious. To help them achieve this, the band entrusted the more than capable hands of producer Romesh Dodangoda, who has worked with the likes of FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND and KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES. Together, they have provided us with 10 tracks of energetic, up beat rock which is simply a joy to listen to. Opening track "The Prisoner" which was used as the first lyric video to promote the album sets the pace with instantly likeable catchy hooks and a sing-along chorus.
First official single "Horizons" saw the band broaden their, well, horizons (sorry) even further, with it's video being played on Kerrang! TV and the song being aired on Kerrang! Radio. It's a brilliant heavy pop song, easy on the ears but maintains the grit and swag you'd come to expect from the Welsh quintet.
Title track "Islands" is a beautifully written number, as close to a ballad as things get without taking the foot too far off the gas, while tracks such as "Sunny Dale Sucks" and "The Catalina Wine Mixer" show the boys are prepared to not take themselves overly seriously by incorporating themes from films and TV shows they enjoy, clearly having fun in the making of this album. The final track on the album, "Chuck Norris Got A Chainsaw" speaks for itself.
All in all, "Islands" is a superb début from the valleys 5-piece, and after already having earned support slots with the likes of ESCAPE THE FATE and HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS, and with song writing skills such as they have, this band is going places. Watch this space. [8]
"Islands" is available now: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/islands/id655789816
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