Artist: Nothing
Release: Guilty Of Everything
Release Date: 3rd March 2014
Imagine all the alternative guitar fuzz from the likes of 90’s standouts like Smashing Pumpkins mixed with a hint of post-metal/hardcore – that’s exactly what this band have tried to achieve on their first full length album, Guilty Of Everything. Simply named Nothing, the rockers from Philadelphia bring their atmospheric 90’s inspired rock to our ear drums but with a 21st century twist, to allow these songs to breathe their own air in the modern day of music. They signed to Relapse records, a label often known for booking the heavier bands in life, but with this band taking a more alternative route has the risk paid off?
Nothing have created an album here laden with huge guitar distortions that are reminiscent of the 90’s, with some pretty explosive riffs blowing out of the speakers. It’s combined with these Billy Corgan-esque vocals that almost whisper along and create some eerie yet mesmerising vocal work that blends music from yester-year but making it feel fresh and ready for music in 2014. It’s an album that is not for the faint-hearted, don’t expect many uplifting anthems here, it’s tracks are drenched with dreary undertones and are tailor made to be moody.
Opening track ‘Hymn To The Pillory’ is a downbeat shoegazing triumph, with it’s distance vocals and meandering guitar distortions, while ‘Bent Nail’ has more grungy elements with a sludgy guitar riff backed by some uplifting drum work that is probably the most upbeat track on the album. It’s ‘Endlessly’ where we really get to appreciate the captivating dark nature of this beast, with vague but eerie vocals allowing the track to be drenched in a sea of uncertainty and send a chilling tingle down your spine, with it’s feeling of sadness and despair.
‘Get Well’ is loud and the vocals seem to be hiding behind the big hitting drums and are somewhat overshadowed by the fantastic guitar fuzz being laid down, it has all the makings of a big hitting indie tune. Ending with the reflective ‘Guilty Of Everything’ it’s a atmospheric song that comes with all those sorrowful feelings, it ends an album that is made for ever changing moods.
Despite being on a label that often delve into the heavier side of music, signing a band like Nothing is a risk and it separates them from their metal counterparts. However it’s a move that could well pay off, this band have produced a very strong debut album that delves into the world of all things alternative.
8/10
