Endwell - Homeland Insecurity
Being suggested to Victory by one of the members of Bayside does raise the question if we’re dealing with another new band playing soft emo, singing about being heartbroken, or if this is really something refreshing.
Endwell doesn’t have the odds against them; they’re young (only one member has reached the age of 21 yet), and they’ve won over Victory already, they did a self-organized tour after they released their own EP, got their album produced by Jay Baumgardner who also did bands as Evanescence, New Found Glory and Papa Roach, and on Halloween their debut full-length record is finally coming out. Things could be worse for a new band.
Homeland Insecurity starts off with “The End”, opening with a sweet pop-punk like guitar, accompanied by a thick low scream it does remind one a little of Atreyu, until the song hits you with some sweet clean backup vocals that wouldn’t look bad on an average punkrock band. On the second track “A Taste Of Everest” the band shows that we should probably look at the opening song as a sort of intro, a straight forward take-you-by-the-balls hardcore song with some melodic parts, as this second one contains some guitar lines/overdubs that stuck in your head on first listen. With a chorus that combines tough hardcore with not-so-tough clean-sing-alongs the band does show how they’ve managed to combine (poppy)punkrock with hardcore and a bit of metal and still make it sound natural. A trend that continues over the whole album, although the band takes a step back in “Fever White”, which gives the record a surprising end.
Single “Single And Loving It”, which comes together with a nice video directed by Shane Drake (who won a prize for a Panic! At The Disco video) shows Victory’s faith in this band. Hopefully the single will give this band some attention, they deserve it in everyway.
Homeland Insecurity is a refreshing album by a very talented band. Judging on this album and keeping their average age in mind, this band could definitely be the next big thing.
87/1001Details Victory Records
Released on Tuesday Oct 31st, 2006
Hardcore/Screamo
Writer @Bad Astronaut on Monday Oct 30th, 2006
Tags: #Endwell
Tracklisting
1. The End
2. A Taste Of Everest
3. Single And Loving It
4. Four Letter Words
5. Homeland Insecurity
6. Goodbyes Are Always Coldest In December
7. Boy Meets World War III
8. I’m Frozen You’re Dead
9. Drowning
10. Whine And Dine
11. Fever White
12. Zombies Never Think Twice
2. A Taste Of Everest
3. Single And Loving It
4. Four Letter Words
5. Homeland Insecurity
6. Goodbyes Are Always Coldest In December
7. Boy Meets World War III
8. I’m Frozen You’re Dead
9. Drowning
10. Whine And Dine
11. Fever White
12. Zombies Never Think Twice
Line up
Sean: Vocals
Dan: Guitar
Danny: Guitar
Steve: Bass
Mike: Drums/Vocals
Dan: Guitar
Danny: Guitar
Steve: Bass
Mike: Drums/Vocals