Before we get down to business here, your reviewer feels it's his duty to tell you that - as a rule - anything remotely connected to death metal, sports metal, big shorts metal, whateverthefuckyouwannacallit metal circa 2002 is usually bollocks with a capital B the size of Mount Everest. Mostly, because...well, any genre proffering LIMP BIZKIT and LINKIN PARK as prime movers isn't even worth sucking shit over.
So, that tirade over, it's refreshing to report that BRODY (from Leeds) are actually a rather fine British antidote to this American malaise and that their debut self-titled 5-track EP flexes its' muscles very impressively indeed.
OK, so it's metal, Jim, but not (exactly) as we know and throw up on. Even though BRODY (broadly) seem to have a lot in common with the US stadium-angst hordes, they have several crucial strengths that help lift them from the mire.
Perhaps most importantly, BRODY are really well-drilled musically. Arrangement-wise, there's barely an inch of slack here and with Ric White's superb drumming pildriving them on, the first three songs - especially "On The Darkest Days" - are eminently convincing.
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Also, BRODY'S grasp of rock's innate dynamics works well, which is why the EP's two real standouts, "Breakdown" and the nagging "Apathetic Smile" are surprisingly affecting. "Breakdown" especially demonstrates that singer Matthew Duggan has far more to offer than just a guttural growl and demonstrates BRODY instinctively know that restraining the beast can speak volumes even in the testosterone-spiked waters this kind of music usually swims in.
A very good start.
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