Review
RADIO ALCATRAZ – POPULOUS: IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST
Released 1st August 2012 (Self-Released)
Words: Tom Willmott
Spawning from the continuously growing underground scene, Radio Alcatraz adopt a DIY ethic that plenty of other bands are following now due to the patchy nature of today’s industry. As well as releasing this on their own terms, their music channels the punk rock aesthetic that has always gone hand in hand with this approach. But does it pay off?
From the opener “Oxford Codes”, they have the visceral aggression of At The Drive In whilst maintaining the fast paced sounding riffs of Rise Against. This could be seen as a winning formula, particularly for the first few tracks, but gradually wears off and ultimately has a slightly repetitive edge. That said, they do manage to throw in a couple of notable tunes in the form of the captivating titles “We Have But One Rule And You Broke It” and “The Code Is LOTUS Burn The Room”, showcasing their ability at nailing solid post-hardcore.
Overall, this is a passable effort for a debut, but doesn’t do enough to really stand out from the current crop of hardcore acts doing the rounds. In time, however, they may well find their feet, and from the sound of it, could be a worthy live act too.
