RGG November 2016 - p.13
EP:
FromTheAshes
www
facebook com/XVIIofficialband
Verdict:
Kidderminster five piece metal band
XVII have worked hard on the live gig circuit
supporting acts such as The Defiled, Crowbar
and even earned a place at the 2015
Bloodstock festival. 'From The Ashes' is their
three track demo EP that's currently circulating
around the UK; if you enjoy bands like
Devildriver then the XVII strong opener and title
track will definitely appeal; only you'll notice that
XVII have more technical guitar playing and
singer Vaughan Bennett vocally offers more on
a record. 'In The Eyes Of Fire' is a neat and
compact rapid fire metalcore monster hitting just
over two minutes and finally 'Dream' with its
melodic intro sets up what I determine as a
battle of traditional heavy metal styles and
metalcore without compromising either genre.
Live XVII are champions and hopefully future
CD releases will reveal more of what the band
is more than capable of.
XVII
Verdict:
Before 'EP Two' is released we'd
better first review this three track EP titled 'EP
One' by female fronted Birmingham band
Occoeur. Definitely one for fans of Bullet For My
Valentine and arguably, because of the slight
gothic rock edge in places, will go down well with
admirers of bands like HIM but as it's a woman
holding the microphone it'd be more like HER
(I'm probably the only one that finds that funny).
Three solid tunes including 'Captain Morgan'
and 'Nevermore' but the highlight for me is the
song 'Fourteen' for it's sheer instant radio
friendly commercial elements and accessibility;
in simpler terms it's a brilliant rock song. The
chorus is a pure anthem; it really sells this band.
Everyone has a favourite tune when they listen
to any release but I can guarantee that you'll be
blown away in some way by an Occoeur song.
Not just because of obvious things like fine
musicianship but down to the fact that they as a
band sound like a well made theatre production
company. Singer Alexandra Slawinski can out
perform the majority of vocalists on the gig circuit
– Fact. They aren't writing normal songs; they're
making tunes for Richard O'Brien only he
doesn't know it yet.
OCCOEUR
EP:
EP One
www
occoeur com
r
gg
21
YEARS
1995-2016
