Glasgow alternative rockers Bear Arms pull influences from a range of bands from the early naughties and with this wonderfully dynamic debut album have honed their sound further.
Strength and Conviction shows the great potential and huge ambition of Bears Arms, with a wonderful mix of alt-rock and post hardcore they really hammer home their intentions on the British rock scene.
With opener ‘Courage’ they state their intentions early, heavy riffs perfectly aided by Richard Wardrops melodic vocals.
Head banging riffs shortly lead into a drop destined to encourage mosh pits, as Kieran Hirds skull crushing screams add the passion and emotion rip roaring through this band.
One thing that Bear Arms do so well is staying in the same genre while mixing it up with a beautifully dynamic range and complex time signatures, perfectly displayed in ‘Double Crown’.
Lead single ‘Fools Gold’ is without a doubt one of the more radio friendly tracks on the album, with a wonderfully catchy chorus it is definitely an open to a wider audience.
Just as you think you may be getting a breather, the opening riff of ‘Innate’ makes you think again with an anthemic chorus and an equally huge guitar solo heaped with reverb, it is a track made for big venues.
‘Crutches’ slows the tempo down and gives you that well deserved breather, with a simple yet effective opening riff, layered with a ton of reverb and whaling guitars; the perfect build to an enticing melodic drop.
Standout ‘Empty Vessel’ was released late 2013 so may be more familiar, however the twist of having the track split into two parts is a great addition, as part one eases you gradually into the opening riff of the track itself, which complements the album and adds a very professional flow to the track listing.
Unfortunately ‘A Call To Arms’ breaks this flow, though it is a great track, its placement on the album could have been better, the slower beat and ballad like chorus coming too quickly after the ferocity of ‘Empty Vessel’.
A better fit would have been following track ‘Bird In A Cage’, as Dean Loudens intricate drum beats set a great pace that continues throughout the track, while some tapping guitar work follows adding to the complexity.
‘To The Lost’ is a perfect closer, with a slower tempo than the rest of the album, however it is a riff heavy anthem and its placement on the album is perfect with fitting lyrics “I realised that everyone that lives will die” bringing the album to a close.
Words: Andy Mills
