GTGC Reviews
email: gavinals69@aol.com
  • Reviews
  • Live Music
  • THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE

As Lions - "Selfish Age"

18/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Every so often, every once in a while, it's refreshing for a band to emerge that ignores scenes and trends, that has no gimmicks and just delivers some straight up quality rock 'n' fucking metal...and in 2016, such a band did just that. Formed by vocalist Austin Dickinson out of the ashes of his former band RISE TO REMAIN, he ditched the metalcore, polished everything up and returned with AS LIONS. Completed by members Connor O'Keefe and Will Homer on guitar, bassist Steffan Whiting and drummer Dave Fee, they dropped one of the hottest  if not THE hottest EP of the year by the name of "Aftermath" and it showed signs of something truly special. Coupled with blistering sets at Camden Rocks and a huge support slot touring with SIXX: A.M. no less to round of the year, we eagerly anticipate their debut full length. Luckily the wait is not long...does January 2017 offer us an early contender for the album of the year?! Let's see if they deliver on "Selfish Age"...

We open up on familiar territory as "Aftermath" gets us going in style and, greeted like an old friend it sounds just as fresh as it did on the EP. Austin immediately showing his worth with some very clean and melodic yet, simultaneously powerful vocals, switching between the styles from verse to chorus. As proven on the live stage he is a great front-man and he's backed up with some quality hard rock here, the track flows effortlessly and it acts as a quality reminder. The rest of the EP is included too, making up around a third of the album, but lead single "White Flags" is still a truly phenomenal modern rock anthem in every sense of the word that still gives you goosebumps with every listen, and "World On Fire" showing a sense of tenderness many bands wished they could tap into and still sound so hench.

It's the new songs however that are the real test for the London-based 5-piece as everything we've heard before, we know is good, we just want to know if they can keep it up...and believe me they do. The title track is another example of slick, melodic rock mastery. Just like they've shown on the EP we're treated to an incredibly catchy chorus, the rhythm is solid while the balance between soft and angst-driven is perfect. "The Suffering" utilises some genuinely meaty riffs and pummelling drumming, with a more restrained, subdued chorus, flipping the formula without losing any edge, while "The Fall" is again, powerful and hypnotic, almost sensual hard rock, just close your eyes and you will fall...in love with this song...no...this band.

I have said it once before when I reviewed the single for NOIZZE and I'll say it again, Austin does his daddy proud here (yes, he is the son of IRON MAIDEN legend Bruce Dickinson) and really it's no surprise that his showmanship has rubbed off on young Austin. With a powerful, authoritative vocal and a band equally adept, collectively they can do nothing but succeed. "Selfish Age"? It would be selfish of me to not share As Lions with you...if you love great rock music with no frills, no bullshit...then these are the band for you. [9]

www.facebook.com/aslionsband
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    News & Reviews

    Gavin J Griffiths, a.k.a GavTheGothicChav, lover of new music and supporter of bands. Inspired by a mixture of horror and comedy, and fueled by a blend of alcohol and sarcasm...if you're a singer / in a band and would like a review written up, please do get in touch via the email address at the top of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Much love x

    Follow @GavinJGriffiths

      CHAV CHAT

    ASK GAV!

    Archives

    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All
    Acoustic
    Alternative
    Article
    Black Metal
    Blues
    Book
    Classic
    Classic Rock
    Comedy
    Competition
    Compilation
    Country
    Death Metal
    Doom
    Electronic
    Emo
    EP
    France
    Funk
    Games
    Glam Rock
    Gothic
    Grime
    Grunge
    Hardcore
    Hard Rock
    Heavy Metal
    Hip Hop
    Hip-Hop
    Indie
    Industrial
    Interview
    Jazz
    J-Rock
    Melodic Death
    Metal
    Metalcore
    Newport
    New Wave
    Nu Metal
    Nu-Metal
    Pop
    Pop Punk
    Pop-Punk
    Pop Rock
    Post Punk
    Post-Punk
    Prog
    Punk
    Punk Rock
    Rap
    Reggae
    Rock
    Rock 'N' Roll
    Shoegaze
    Ska
    Sludge
    Soft Rock
    Southern Metal
    Southern Rock
    Stoner
    Symphonic Metal
    Synth
    Thrash
    Unsigned
    Urban

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly