Having said their goodbyes to Victory Records, BAYSIDE have started a new chapter to their story, emphatically titled ‘Killing Time’. Their new partnership with Wind-Up Records has helped fabricate the valiant sound of the New York quartet and is produced by Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World). Missing that dash of spice in the midst of their last release, Bayside make no mistake by picking themselves up as they sandwich their flaws between a collection of ambitious and progressive material.
Bayside‘s fifth studio album opens with the powerful ‘Already Gone’, enlightening the audience to what is to come; impressive riffs, robust drum fills and sing-a-long chorus’ – and that’s before leading into infectious lead single ‘Sick, Sick, Sick’. As the album progresses, Anthony Raneri’s unique hoarse vocals reach a new high with fantastic background harmonies projected throughout the melodic rhythm of ‘Mona Lisa’ and the belligerent punch of ‘The Wrong Way’.
Raneri et al slow the tempo down briefly as an emotional performance of ‘On Love, On Life’ showcases another side of the quartet’s talent; a refreshing partnership of man and piano portray the sedated sound of Bayside‘s alter ego. It’s an epic execution that is most definitely welcomed. Erupting through the distorted riffs of ‘The New Flesh’, the American rockers explode into an uplifting chorus before closing with the album’s dark hard-hitter and title track ‘Killing Time’.
There is no doubt that New York’s finest continue their reign of pop-punk lunacy as they polish off their signature sound that we’ve heard on previous efforts, including the solid structures of ‘Bayside‘ and ‘Shudder’. Long may they continue to break through onto our radio; here’s to a new year, a new decade and a new chance.
NICHOLAS COREN