Band: New Years Day
Release: The Mechanical Heart EP
LA’s New Years Day have been around a lot longer than people think. From their first big break with their track ‘Ready, Aim, Misfire’ included on the Myspace Records compilation back in 2005, the band grew in popularity only to be thrown back to square one when their record label TVT folded leaving the band with a half promoted debut album and possible lawsuit over the use of their own band name.
Things were looking bleak in camp NYD, and with the then loss of 3 band members it only looked as if it was the end of New Years Day.
Little did we know they would come back with new band members, new songs, new label in the form of Hollywood Waste Records, the same name (thank god!) and then the release of a brand new EP.
As a huge fan of the debut ‘My Dear’ I admit I was slightly apprehensive when I first heard the band were back in business. With the loss of bass player Adam Lohrbach, one the bands main song writers, and guitarists Keith Drover and Mike Schoolden, would we still have the same New Years Day we knew and loved? After the first listen to the epic opening riff of current single ‘Two In The Head One In The Chest’ I was sold. New Years Day had come back with avengance with a new, evolved, heavier sound that literally had me shitting myself with excitement.
You can tell with the loss of Adam that lead singer Ashley Costello has really put her stamp on the sound more than ever. Ash’s love of horror and gore is apparent from the first track and with a reference to death in almost every song it’s one scary, awesome ride!
If you were a fan of the old heavier New Year’s day tracks such as Razor and My Dear then you definitely won’t be disappointed with this EP. There’s no poppy tracks such as Temecula Sunrise or Beautiful Lies, if that style was more your bag, but the pure strength of the tracks on here are more than enough to difuse any doubts; Let’s Get Dead and Resurrection will melt your face off! I can honestly say this EP has been on repeat more times than I can count. Is it better than My Dear? Well it’s comparing an EP to an Album but basically I can’t decide! They both have their merits, and My Dear was the soundtrack to many months of my life, but all I know is New Years Day are back and lets hope this time some big time success comes there way! My top release of 2011 so far? I think so!
Now stop reading and go buy this! Seriously!
Reviewer: Chris Hines
