Ready to ramp it up with I Cried Wolf and their latest offering ‘Hollow Heart’? Think Cancer Bats meets Dillinger Escape Plan, this EP is too darn short, with only five tracks, leaving you covered in appreciative saliva after a throughly enjoyable 20 minutes.
‘Scratching My Head With Ink’ splats you to the wall like a squashed fly, vocalist Harry Davis sounding like he is screaming for his life. The guitars as crunchy as newly fallen snow and as heavy as a ten ton truck, the vocal variety on show highlighting the talents of Davis and crew.
‘Massokiss Me’ has a jagged guitar intro, dismissing any notion that I Cried Wolf will take it easy on you, before a very Every Time I Die sounding chorus washes over you like a booze infused dream. Some gang vocals give this song that added ‘va va voom’, as do the Mike Patton sounding spoken parts. The song starts to really pick it up with some harmonic guitar parts before a very mature and professional round, a breakdown and finally, with a sing-a-long section which carries the song to its end. This song is huge and proves this band are destined for greater things.
‘It Takes A Slave’ is the best track on the EP, simply because of its unique style, the spoken word lyrics of Davis being roared through a grizzly aura, the acoustic guitar giving the intro volumes in style and class. It is the best intro to a post hardcore song in quite some time and demands continuous listening. When the song kicks in, it exudes fun, energy and heaviness; the bass line thumping along to the infectious sound of Davis’ vocals, before a breakdown reiterates the songsmanship of this post hardcore group. The guitar peels your skin off, a refreshing and astute solo highlighting that hardcore can produce more than ‘the infamous chug’. The choral vocals carry the song to an angry end where it sounds like Davis might have burst a blood vessel.
‘Kensopia’ continues with the harmonic style guitar that is one of the unique selling points of this band before a demonic chug whacks you in the back, Davis spitting his lyrics down the mic, the lead guitar parts sounding akin to Avenged Sevenfold.
The final song ‘Sharkfeet’ neatly rounds off the EP, with some more gritty vocals and an old school Funeral For A Friend style guitar before the leash is untied and the beast of I Cried Wolf is released to feast on its prey. Half way through there is a stellar vocal section; “lie your head on my back as my guts hit the floor” – the energy huge and the promise and potential of this band equally as big. It is a pleasure to listen to something so darn strong and promising. The UK scene is where it’s at right now, and I Cried Wolf and their EP ‘Hollow Heart’ is smashing its way to the top in terms of integrity, grit and musicianship. They are certainly one to watch out for.
DAVE BULL