AKRASIA

Late last year we brought you word of the relatively lukewarm but novel debut of Telford based lads Silence the Dead. It is with great pleasure that we now bring you the new, reengineered band that stands in their place today, Akrasia, and their brilliant New Beginnings EP. Remedying their previous issues such as production as well as welcoming Jake Woodhall into the mix on drums in place of former drummer, Kizu Stanford, seems to have done wonders for the group. With their appropriately named opener, New Beginnings, the new Akrasia blows us away at the gates. Starting with a cool, thrumming vibe complimented by Woodhall’s clean bass drumming, Forrest Moore urges “It ends tonight/we fight for this world” just as the track picks up on its hardcore base with clinically precise screams from the depths of Michael Hayford. Guitar and bass work provided by Moore (rhythm), Dan Upton (lead), and Sami Gulumser (bass) gives the track its daily recommended dose of riffing goodness. Amping up the bass elements of the hardcore scene, Pride of a Liar goes for a hard hitting edge. Siding with popular metal / hardcore conventions, the track features melodic electronic backgrounds paired with the heavier, gritty sounds of hate we love so much in the hardcore genre. In its closing track, Amicitia, Akrasia makes itself a phenomenon of dynamic elements as the beautifully smoldering acoustic track encloses the listener in a calm, mindful state. If there is anything to be said for lyrics on the New Beginnings EP, it is the masterful contrast between the promise of “If I see you again, I’ll rip the teeth from your mouth” and the pensive music that compliments it. If you thought that Silence the Dead had potential like we did, you’re right, but you sure as hell will be blown away when you hear just how much potential the group had, and is exercising now as Akrasia. The New Beginnings EP is definitely a must have in the world of new music and easily capable of competing with larger, more known acts. Desiree Brown Contributor