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SNAKES OF IRON: Scavengers EP

Following on from an earlier self-titled EP, hard working Auckland heavyweights Snakes of Iron have served up a tasteful blend of punk, hardcore, and sludge-infused rock’n’roll with this sophomore. With all five members having previously paid their dues in various established rock and hardcore acts, this release is delivered with a confidence and flair that one would expect from a band boasting their credentials. Opener Monsters Eyes wastes no time setting the tone of the EP; equal parts groove and aggression, not unlike Doomriders or Cancer Bats. Make it Your Own offers no respite from the assault, bludgeoning riffs and gang vocals being the order of the day. Vocalist Leon Hall demonstrates an impressive range and versatility throughout the entire EP, his vocals on this track shifting between Garcia-esque soulfulness and metal ferociousness with aplomb. The production on this offering is suitably tasteful; slick, but never at the expense of the raw energy of the band. This balance is captured wonderfully on Dead Cities where groove-ridden hard rock verses cadence into a triumphant punk/hardcore chorus, arguably the catchiest and most high-energy track of the lot. The pacing of the five tracks shifts in a natural and fluid manner; no mean feat, given the myriad metal/punk sub genres that these lads draw influence from. A very fresh hardcore release, and a fine taste of things to come.

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