Back to index of Nerve 20 - Summer 2012

Alternative Rock - This is what this fifteen year-old listens to

By James Farmer

Those with sensitive ears or a faint heart - you have been warned. If you haven't guessed already I'm talking about the brilliantly fierce track True Colours by Gallows. After being released fairly swiftly following the former singer Frank Carter's departure and the full track being only 38 seconds long, True Colours raised some questions. Will Gallows' distinctive sound change and will the whole new album be only 8 minutes long? It's heavy, noisy and in your face - can you handle it?

Bite My Tongue by You Me At Six featuring Oli Sykes, is a catchy, ballsy, and overall great return from the Surrey rockers. It begins with Josh Francesci's distinctive voice and something that You Me At Six has lacked in previous records - a big, heavy guitar. This is the perfect sounding combination and only gets better as the band kicks in. The song is brilliant till the break where guest vocals from the infamous Oli Sykes are featured. For those lucky enough not to know who this poser is I'll fill you in. He's the singer in the band Bring me the Horizon - possibly the worst band to come out of Britain. They play cheap metal with vocals that sound like a cat is being violently drowned. Due to this band, teenagers up and down the country think they're 'hardcore' because they listen to supposedly 'heavy' music. Teenage girls treat him like a hero when he's truly the most annoying and pretentious front man ever. Other than that - ace song.

There isn't much of a story or any sort of controversy behind Casino Columbus by letlive. It's just good, genuine, heavy music. The verse kicks in heavily; when the chorus begins it's more poppy and catchy - instead of continuing with the raspy, shouty vocals, it changes into a nice, clear, melodic style of singing, the sort of song that will have your head banging and you calling out the infectious chorus at the same time.

I also like a cover version: Smells like Teen Spirit by Arcane Roots. It was featured on Kerrang's Nirvana Nevermind Forever compilation tribute album. This copy could have Mr. Cobain turning in his grave - not because it's bad but because it's that good it'll make him jealous. It follows the same conventions as the original but sounds so different. It sounds bigger. Beg, rob and borrow to get hold of this track - it's the best cover ever.

My long-anticipated favourite track is Hold Fast by Blitz Kids. If this band isn't in your life yet, then you're seriously missing out. Blitz Kids are a jumpy schizophrenic force to be reckoned with, merging every genre that ever mattered: dance, metal, rock and pop, into a giant beautiful mess. When listening to Hold Fast get a friend or relative to take a picture of your face - the bottom of your jaw will not be in the shot!

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