The Banner- Frailty
The Banners previous release 'Each breath haunted' was an average release. It is hard to make hardcore interesting as there are literally thousand of bands trying their hand at it, you just have to play it with great conviction and be able to write true anthems.
'Frailty' sees the lean closer to metal, down tuned, dark, and downright angry. Singer Joey Southside (best name ever!) claims that 'Frailty' is about failure, hardly an untouched subject. In fact, didn’t another hardcore band do something similar? Ah yes, Converge’s 'You fail me' was the same subject. The Haunted are not a million miles away, in fact they are very similar. Track 4 'A hellbound heart' kicks off and sound like Converge’s title track 'You fail me'. The Banner are going to get a whole load of accusations about ripping off Converge.
Personally, I really like 'Frailty' in all it’s Idol worshipping glory, The Banner have managed to create a very listenable, nay catchy record, full of interesting twists and turns. I can see the Banner putting on an awesome show with these tracks, the pit will be pure chaos, mixed with people pulling their crazy hardcore moves.
'Frailty' is a blood pumping adventure of a ride and is helping to give me my second wind during the wee hours. If you’re a Hardcore fan then I would skip 'Each breath haunted' and check out 'Frailty', I think most hardcore fans are forgiving enough over bands sounding similar. I mean come on there is a million great hardcore bands that sound’s are pretty much identical. Just when you think your getting bored with hardcore, someone comes along and your back in the scene, with your Eastpak back pack, camo shorts and limbering up to jump into the pit.