Words: Tom Willmott

Codex Leicester are exactly the sort of the band that we need in what seems like a bleak period of history Britain is going through. Based in Leicester (no suprises there), the four piece have only been in existence for the past couple of years, so this EP will hopefully be the start of brighter prospects.

Those who may have been disappointed with Dananananaykroyd calling it a day last year, will find that the band do tend to have some very bouncy and colourful sounds that the former were very well known for, as seen in “Strong In Bull” and “Hey Hey Hot Legs”. Yet there are also a range of harsher elements to add to the palette, in the same vein that Biffy Clyro demonstrated so well on their first three albums. A combination of these can be found in what has to be the standout track and closer, “Supersleeper”, with plenty a riff to be heard.

This EP definitely is a sign that the band are on the right track as far as creativity goes, and deservedly should be heard in the wider music scene. A great start to potentially one of the more exciting discoveries of the year.

Words: Stevie Blackburn

Up and coming pop punk band, Above The Underground, are set to release their EP, ‘Autumns’, later this month. The boys based in Cheshire have had an incredible start to 2012 with the release of their music video hitting over 8,000 views and even signing to record label, Lazy Bear. With so much happening in camp ATU, what can fans expect from the 3^rd EP from the boys?

Although the band are known for their pop-punk image, ‘Autumns’ show a sense of growing up throughout whilst still preserving the pop punk energy they’ve mastered over the years. Already released track, ‘Under the Weather’ has been around for a while now with the success of the music video, it’s clear this has built up a lot of hype for the record and sparked real attention amongst both fans and various forms of the media.

Teaming up as a teaser for the EP has been the infectious, ‘Anchors’, which proves Pop Punk is what these boys do best whilst showing off the raw vocals of frontman, Will Kirkman. If this genre needs anything in its songs, it’s a good singalong chant which is provided by fellow band members, Al Kirkman (Guitar), Nick Barlow (Bass) and Brandon Icely (Drums), if you can’t wait to find out what we mean then this is also available on ITunes.

The track which oozes pure summer comes in the shape of, ‘We were Kings’ with lyrics like ‘stay young don’t ever fall in love again’, it’s all about being able to just enjoy life with friends, the kind of song that everyone loves in the sunshine.

‘Close your Eyes’ and ‘Drive’ is the track on the record which sees a slightly rockier side to the band with powerful lyrics and pure emotion throughout, definitely the one you’ll be singing to in your bedroom.

Possibly the strongest record on the EP, ‘For All It’s Worth’ gives you an entire 3 minute singalong. Pure Pop Punk makes its appearance in this one with again, the other boys backing vocals showing off just how well these guys mold together as a band.

Autumns is set for release on the 18^th May as an entire free download so if you’re looking for the soundtrack of your summer then it’s right here in the shape of Above The Underground.

Glaswegians screamo/electric 6-piece Sacred Betrayal have just released a brand new EP ‘The Path’ via Only Sky Records and they jet off on a 13 date UK tour with The Ocean Between Us on 27th April starting in Middlesbrough. The band have taken some time out before the upcoming tour to kindly talk to Noise Addiction about ‘The Path’ and more.

Could you give us a little background to Sacred Betrayal for our readers that haven’t heard of you yet?

Sacred Betrayal are all about the fun as well as the music, we pride ourselves on our live shows and putting on a good fun show for everyone to enjoy visually as well as listening. We aim to make the crowd leave remembering and chatting about us. Come check us out and we promise not to disappoint!

You’re signed to independent label Only Sky Records – How did that come about? And how are they treating you?

Only Sky treat us fantastically well. We got signed to them back when we were doing the festival circuit in 2010 and have had a strong relationship ever since. Our manager Alan is like a dad!

You’ve just released a new EP ‘The Path’ on Only Sky Records – How’s the reaction been so far?

The reaction and pre-orders/orders has/have been amazing. We didn’t expect this much. Hopefully the momentum keeps up and everyone can look forward to the new album and new sound.

What was the writing and recording process like for ‘The Path’?

Before ‘The Path’, we had actually written a full length album and were ready to go to the Outhouse Studio to record it, then unfortunately our frontman departed. We then sought out Sean McChord, bringing a new heavier feel to the band. We ditched the album completely and started writing new material, The Path is only the tip of the iceberg, believe you me!

Do you have a favourite song from the EP? And why?

We enjoy playing ‘Kino Der Toten’ live the most, the middle section build up usually causes a lot of movement and energy which we love to see!

You hit the road this week with The Ocean Between Us – Where you most looking forward to playing?

We can’t wait for the first show in middlesbrough – we’re told its a rock nightclub that we’re playing. Whats better than a room packed full of alcohol fuelled music fans going nuts? Of course we can’t wait to play our Scottish shows to, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. We always have an amazing time there.

What can you not live without on tour?

Our Nintendo DS’s. We’re mostly all Pokemon nuts, that gets us through a large chunk of our journeys.

What is the best city/crowd you’ve played to in all the time of being Sacred Betrayal?

The best crowd we’ve ever played to was at T in the Park. We opened the entire festival and played to an absolutely packed out crowd of about 1000, it was insane. However our most fun show was in Aberdeen, to a small crowd of around 50, all of which ended up on stage with us at the end singing, amazing.

Hailing from Glasgow – Who’s your favourite upcoming/underground Scottish band and why?

It can’t really be anyone else other than Yashin. I’d be lying if I said otherwise and so would anyone else! Those guys are extremely talented and have done great things for us, they are finally getting the things they deserve, they’ve been around for as long as I remember.

Any festivals you particularly want to play this year?

Hevy, what a great festival that is, fun times!

What are the bands plans for the rest of the year? And what are you most looking forward to?

For the rest of this year, we’re going to tour and promote the hell out of The Path. We’re almost finished writing this new album which is sounding incredible, we’re planning on getting that down in winter then releasing early 2013, it’s really something to listen out for.

Any departing words for your fans and our readers?

You stay classy, Noise Addiction!
Oh! and remember to pick up your copy of The Path!

You can find Sacred Betrayal’s new EP ‘The Path’ on iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-path-ep/id520231653 or if you’re after a bundle with a tee look up Only Sky Records store - http://onlyskyrecords.bigcartel.com/product/sacred-betrayal-the-path-ep-and-tee-bundle

Words: John Newspeaker for Noise Addiction

The readers of Noise Addiction, the band Lower Lands, and the various other surveyors and purveyors of alternative rock, who actually read band reviews, will all want to know in an instant if the new Lower Lands six track release – Growing Pains, is any good?
Well… The short answer is yes.

We could debate whether they sound too much like many of their peers, (and they know who they are and if you don’t, search them on YouTube and see the tags) and we could also wax lyrical about how the typical student indie rock look, possibly wont differentiate Lower Lands from the rest of the crowd. (If everyone looks like the crowd how do you find the band?) But let’s not go there, because this EP is very, very good. Lower Lands are mature songwriters in young bodies, and I salute them for the great production they have presented here.

Go find the website www.lowerlands.bandcamp.com and social networks, and applaud the engineer who recorded this, and pat the back of the production consultant who kept the clever musical instrumentation running in and out and around all of these six tracks. This is what makes music interesting and it kept me enthralled at all times. The only thing I feel could be missing is perhaps the lack of a certain signature sound, and that which would make the band instantly recognisable as opposed to anyone of a number within their specific genre.

The first track Wide Eyes is 4 minutes and 37 seconds of perfect, teen- grunge- indie rock. In fact on first listen I wanted it to finish at the clever stabbed push at 3:05 but was subsequently relieved that they decided to crash on through longer than a John Peel perfect pop song because a brilliant yet subtle bass line at 3:22 found its way into my brain. Also vocally it’s way beyond its years, with distorted bended notes, that still manage to sound young and relatively fresh faced. Second track, 12 Green Bottles is a far more poppier affair, with bells and whistles a plenty. This kitchen sink of a production can only be described as clever, if not, quite as catchier as the opener. Idle Hands, Empty Pockets is my current preferred track with its heavy shit, angry young man, screamo break, (a very modern day indie syndrome that I am not all that comfortable with!) that doesn’t quite fit into the band’s persona as easily as the melodic harmonies in the verse and chorus. That apart, this is the stand out track on this EP.
Reality In Routine is a great song, with a great pre chorus, great guitar sound, great Bv’s, and a great outro. This is also the style that I feel really suits them and is the nearest I can hear to the Lower Lands sound. Next up is Why Don’t We Just Build A Cathedral? Damn these blasted Lower Lands they are getting better and better and I am running out of critique.
Finally sealing the deal is Growing Pains. Another good song and a nice closer for the EP, with a startling intro put in to remind you in case you forgot they were still in your headphones, and a switch in tempos that will keep you in the game. From Stuart Copeland snare drum shuffles to dynamic Kings of Leon rhythm guitar and bumping into everyone in between, this is a good one. So Lower Lands – power to your elbows.

Words: Gaz Martinez

Shattered Destiny’s the name, shattering destinies seem to be their game. Their new EP Fragments lends credit to this and offers us four pseudo-thrashy songs, with hints of power metal, it’s actually a decent listen through and through, singer JJ belts his larynx out and welcomes us to hell on Welcome while coming across as a Dave Mustaine/Joacim Cans hybrid (The former in lyrical delivery, the latter in lyrical content).

If Welcome demonstrates the bands ability to crunch their way through life, then Deceitful Heart is their take on the introduction anyway, changing from clean keys to blasting out some heavy power chords half way through. Oblivion is yet another approach to their method, here they really embrace their symphonic/power metal elements. Mark pounds those drums with great precision, if not too much ingenuity, the same can be said of the guitars and bass. They do the job more than adequately, but here it feels that the phrase ‘The whole is more than the sum of its parts’ really applies here. Most artists are able to count their main influences on one hand, but it is clear here that Shattered Destiny are influenced by much more than one particular style here. Each song is genuinely different to the next, but surprisingly, the band manage to make it all sound coherent, and not at all out of place. It is a very interesting listen and it leaves the listener on a musical cliffhanger. You’re left wondering just what direction will Shattered Destiny take when they go to record a full length album? The influences are plentiful, and so are the possibilities with this band.