Reviews
Menace EP
It was exactly one year ago that I had the pleasure of discovering Manchester Punk/Rock band Zsilent Z through reviewing a two track demo they had just recorded. The duo of songs 'Ordinary Joe' and 'Twenty Miles were basic especially in production but showed great promise for the band with their undemanding punk sound. One year on and the band has shown (that promise) with the trio of tracks that make up the Menace demo that they have evolved with strength and craft to take that early promise much further forward if still not to its final destination.
The music the band offers has not evolved too far from the first songs, it is
still an unashamed blunt and eager pleasuring of the ear but now it is a much
tighter and better crafted vehicle with which to run down the senses. The songs
within Menace have a defined punch that was missing previously. They are not
violent but have a certain aggression that makes one take notice and allow the
abrasive melodies and acute ideas to bring their wickedness. The songs are
still relatively uncomplicated but offered with a flair that engages and
bristles with a welcoming taunting ease over the ear.
Happy Days is the most accessible track with its primitive and instinctive
rhythms. The bass of Joe Nee and Freddie Pitts drums, hypnotic as they trigger
ones natural beats. The guitar of Deaglan ORourke flashes behind this rhythmic
drive before flaring up with some scorched melodies and hooks. As before
vocalist Sean Gibson bounds into and through songs with his wonderful slightly
uncultured tones adding an extra definition to the power of the song, of all
their songs. His delivery is a cross between Jamie Lenman, Charlie Harper and
Thomas Mensforth (Mensi) from Reuben, UK Subs and 70s punks Angelic Upstarts
respectively, bands the sound of Zsilent Z also conjures with at times. The
song is a slight departure to the music heard from the band so far and works a
treat.
He Who Fights and Tasmanian Devil make up the rest of the Menace demo. The
first is a riotous punk flare up with a good bluesy guitar poking its nose in
from time to time. It dips into subdued moment though it is just building up
the intensity and anticipation to the barracking elsewhere within the song.
Crashing guitar, rampant drums, a bass that scowls with its lines, and Gibson
brutalising vocally it is an excellent punk effort.
The second of the two is similar in style to He Who Fights but with more
distinct flavours from the band’s individual contributions. They bring it all
together with the essential group shouts and the belligerent sound of punk
contempt to again pull off another song that riles up enthusiasm for more. As
with the other tracks it fires up nostalgia for the great 70s punk bands but
lines it with a defined modern touch of the band’s very own.
Zsilent Z as well as the bands mentioned, remind of older bands The Lurkers and
Dangerous Girls and a contemporary in Houdini within what is a distinct
flavouring of their own. The progression from the first contact with the band
is impressive and exciting and even though production here is also far better,
one knows there is even more within the band’s current sound that is waiting to
be unleashed. The thought of that and what is yet to come from the band ahead
is thrilling and the wait for more probably impatient.
Pete
RingMaster - ringmaster Review (14.02.2012)
http://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/zsilent-z-menace-demo/
Menace EP
He Who fights...
Back to the short fast and straight to the point style we expect from Zsilent Z... exactly 2 minutes of punky goodness with all the trademarks of this Manchester Punk/Grunge band.
He Who Fights... is fast and furious, building tension and heart rate throughout; that is until it drops out into a wonderfully harmonic bridge after 60 seconds, light guitar tones an a simple pacing hi-hat rebuild the rhythm before the second half solos and breakdowns.
A true measure of how to fit all the components of a great song in a short
space Zsilent Z are masters of high energy, technical precision and excitement
in each and every of their songs.
Tasmanian Devil
This short choppy track packs a punch, playing this one round the Pied Piper
Promo office has left us in a bit of a spin, much like the namesake of this
track.
Opening with a funky bass line groove Tasmanian Devil is a mixture of style,
pinnace and punk from Manchester Based Zsilent Z. Lyrical energy to match the
chugging chord progression and hard and fast drum beats will keep you rocking
to this track time and time again.
A skilfully executed bridge drops away all harmony to a simple but effective
rhythmic guitar, as the drums build to a peak Tasmanian Devil drops back in to
an almost folk style, demonstrating the eclectic diversity of influences
Zsilent Z Draw upon.
There’s only 2 tracks under 2 minutes that fill me with confidence about short
songs that get straight to the point... With the release of Tasmanian Devil
that number is now 3!
Happy Days
This track takes a swift drop in tempo to the usual offerings from Zsilent Z.
Bringing forth elements of funk soul and dub, Happy Days, brings forth a new
sound and fresh element to Zsilent Z. The Quiet intro interspersed with almost
jungle drum patterns and accents of cymbals sets the scene of what’s to come.
Bass line builds to a beautiful guitar line consistent throughout.
Bass lines dominate with a clever matching harmonisation of Lyrical delivery
and Guitar this song is one to dance, skank and down right move to. It tells a
story of the juxtaposition of how we view society and in turn how society views
us, my favourite line of “Wipe My Arse on the Evening News, cause it ain’t my
problem, I’ve paid my dues” sums up this track in such a brilliant way I
couldn’t say much more.
Happy Days is synonymous to the Post Punk/Ska revival in so many unsigned
circuits. Zsilent Z execute this track to perfection, consistently delivering
their unique blend of punk grunge and street poetry.
Wrapping up the EP this track leaves the listener on a high and eager for more.
Overall perfectly constructed with a mash up of tempos and style in each track
Zsilent Z’s EP is a winner with Pied Piper Promotions.
By Pied Piper Promotions
http://www.facebook.com/PiedPiperPromo
Ordinary Joe and Twenty Miles Demo
It is always intriguing to hear the music of new bands, especially when they have come forth and introduced themselves to Rock Pulse and asked if they could be placed in our unsigned band section. So many artists wait for things to come to them so it is always refreshing to see one brave enough to take the initiative as Manchester band Zsilent Z have.
The two tracks they submitted, “Ordinary Joe” and “Twenty Miles” are demos and on the bands own admission are not the best of recordings, but despite that there is plenty of promise on show. “Ordinary Joe” is the highlight of the two. Its bluesy intro leading into a punk vocal attack over a cool rock riff, maybe not the most original but it works a treat. Sean Gibson barking out the lyrics, like a contemporary Charlie Harper (UK Subs) is an uncomfortable contrast to the flowing guitar of Deaglan O'Rourke, but it works.
The second track “Twenty Miles” is a slower paced song, and in many ways reminded me of an early Reuben. The quartet completed by Joe Nee, bass, and Freddie Pitts, drums show they can deliver a more subdued sound, though you feel they are only moments away from rocking it up.
As mentioned before the recording is not the best to show off the bands talent but it is more than enough to show there is real promise, backed up when I investigated elsewhere and heard their great track “ NSA”. The songs also suggest that live they more than likely deliver a great sound and show. It is hard to label them, which I think is great, but pushed I guess they are a mesh of punk, rock and blues but maybe not either, just take a listen at their sites below and decide for yourselves. Imagine the tracks with a proper production and I am sure you will see their promise too.
(7/10)
Pete RingMaster (13/02/11)
