Hailing from Nihilist's hometown of Dublin, Ireland, Hero In Error , along with compatriots Shattered Skies and luminaries such as Tesseract and Aliases , might just be one of the best things happening in the increasingly popular tech/djent scene right now.Dan Weller , ex guitarist with Brit tech heroes Sikth, along with ex-Sikth singer Justin Foley,seem to agree, with the pair lending their talents to produce last year's stunning 'High Point Of New Lows EP', the latter even appearing on epic closer 'Under My Sky'.The band themselves ply their trade with an invigorating tech metal/metalcore crossover, with sophisticated , lithe riffing underpinning singer Anthony Clavin's lung bursting , heartfelt roar, and the whole thing is complimented with some killer hooks,as evidenced on tracks like 'Port In The Storm' and 'The Rapture'.
With the promise of a full length debut in the offing, along with several tours of the UK and Ireland already under their belts(not to mention support slots with, among others, Architects and the godly Mastodon) , and a reputation(well deserved) of being one of the most exciting live bands in any scene at the moment , make sure to check out this Irish five piece, before they blow up in a big way.
Quite aside and removed from the annus horriblis that was 2010 for most , the rock world saw some moments of pure fried gold pass through it's silky essence in this year of recession , snow and dear god save us , the fucking X-Factor. So in the spirit of showing that 2010 was not all doom and gloom , here's five records , in no particular order , that made all at BAN a little less bastardly and kinder to small children for , well ,a day.
(Disclaimer - These are a personal selection , and are definitely open for debate , just drop us a line on bornagainnihilist@gmail.com. Thanks :)
1- Shrinebuilder-'Shrinebuilder'
Possibly one of the most anticipated stoner/doom releases of the year , the debut album from supergroup Shrinebuilder , which features Wino ( The Obsessed/ St.Vitus/about a billion more) , Scott Kelly ( Neurosis) , Dale Crover( Melvins) and Al Cisneros ( Sleep/Om) , was even better than we could have expected , sounding less like a 'supergroup' style clash of egos and more like the work of four men genuinely in love with the music they play . The album is only five songs long , and yet feels like an epic , with a deep warm groove mined to perfection ,that simultaneously acknowledges its creator's rich legacy while creating something new and unique .If not quite the sum of its(incredible) parts , it comes damn close .
2 - Speedking- 'Cause and Effect'
A mere eight(!) years in the making , the debut album from County Monaghan rockers Speedking was definitely a case of time well spent , and the album was among the strongest to come out of our fair isle this year . Pleasingly old school in its construction , but yet packing a vicious bite to it's iron clad riffage , 'Cause and Effect' is a triumph of musicianship and more importantly , great songwriting . Let's just hope it's not eight years until the next one!
3- Hero In Error- 'The High Point Of New Lows'
Ok so more of an EP per se , but still , there's no denying that 2010 was the year Hero In Error made a real claim to being one of the most exciting new bands in Ireland , or dare I say it , anywhere ,with 'THPONL' , a gloriously demented blend of stunning technical chops , blistering metalcore riffage and good old fashioned metallic finesse and power . From the anthemic 'Port in the storm ' , to the majestic 'Trees That Mourn Their Leaves' , each track is a belter , and let's just say this : if you haven't had the chance to take in a HIE live show yet , you are missing out on one of the most dementedly energetic and powerful outfits patrolling the metal/hardcore wastes around.
4- Kylesa- 'Spiral Shadow'
Let's be honest ,Kylesa's last album 'Static Tensions' was a classic , and was always going to be almost impossible to follow up . So ,instead of trying to , the Savannah,Georgia noiseniks simply tore up their own rulebook and instead crafted one of the year's most beguiling records .Tempering their tar thick riffola with pop hooks('Don't Look Back') , psychedelic curveballs ( ' Crowded Road' ' Spiral Shadow') and the obligatory shout along riff led monster ( 'Tired Climb') , 'Spiral Shadow' showed a new side to Kylesa , one that showed there was so much more to the quintet than just juggernaut riffing and having two drummers.
5-Cancer Bats- 'Bears .Mayors , Scraps and Bones'
Proving hearteningly that sometimes hard work , writing kick ass tunes and being nice blokes to boot might actually get you somewhere someday, Cancer Bats' third full length effort was their biggest to date , and saw them play to sell-out crowds , and enjoy some long overdue airplay , due in no small part to THAT cover
. To put it mildly, 'Bears .Mayors , Scraps and Bones' is AWESOME ,the sound of four men simply plugging in and rocking out , with two fingers to rock charts and endorsement deals, from the doomy gutpunch of opener ' Sleep This Away' ,to the punk rock maelstrom of 'We are the Undead' to the bluesy ,lurching 'Raised Right' and ,ok ok , 'that' cover , 'Bears Mayors . . . ' rocks ,plain and simple , and that's why it 's on this list.
Honourable Mentions- High On Fire- 'Snakes for the Divine' People of The Monolith- 'No Hand To Comfort You' Torche- 'Songs For Singles' Adebisi Shank- ' This is the second album of a band called Adebisi Shank' The Sword - 'Warp Riders'
