Head 13
Broken Man
12 Track Album
Released 2nd
January 2012
"Head" on over to Bandcamp and give it a listen!
Head 13 – Liverpool
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/headthirteen
Buy the album
here:
http://head13.bandcamp.com/
Genre:
Rock/Metal
In the bands
own words:
“Head 13 began life in Liverpool, UK in early
2011. After the usual rock band cliche's of personnel changes, musical
differences, chance meetings in bars and debilitating injury, the guys decided
to dive right in and began by writing, recording and releasing their debut
album.
Head 13’s main focus since forming has been on
putting together a fantastic set of original music and creating a polished and
professional product. In six short months they have written, recorded and mixed
a twelve track album, created a host of video blogs documenting the process,
designed all the artwork for their album and web presence, shot and edited a
high definition music video for their first single, designed and had
manufactured a run of merchandise, and consumed a ridiculous amount of tea and
coffee.
All of the band
are well-travelled and experienced musicians who have played to crowds of
thousands (as well as the obligatory pub gig to only the bar staff)”
It was a shame
I never got to see Head 13 play live
for Krossfire at House on the 28.04.13 but it was one of those unfortunate things,
however, hoping I get my chance real soon as this on all accounts promises to
be a good album!
Moving on Stone
The first track
opens with quirky and rhythmic drumming and possesses a real essence of rock! The vocals dominate the track with the guitar
punchy and solid with a breakdown that melts fiercely amid nice chunky riffing.
Broken Man
The title track
to the album, brings a flurry of melody be it choppy with shouty vocals. The
spiralling guitar riffs surge forward amid a harsh roar and more fast
vocal. The bass is hard and edgy and the
drumming powerful.
No Use
Beautiful rhythmic
guitar, uses the fret board to the max, with flurrying riffs that are constantly battering
the senses and a vocal fast and again shouty but with a lot more melodic
traces and the bass being more prominent. A good combination of rock with a
great powerful rhythm.
Fuck out the way
An ambient
array of eerie noises splutter forth and then a harsh striking guitar starts up
with a chugging format combining a superb intense slapping bass lick! With a riveting
rhythmic surge that definitely captivates, although the vocals are slightly
weaker on this track for some reason, however the breakdown here is utterly
stupendous and redeems the track. It is one of my favourite tracks on the album
so far!
Stuck on Yourself
Meaty with plenty
of catchiness in the gigantic rhythms alone. Great drumming here again with a
prominent bass hook. The guitar takes on
a life of its own with a powerful up and down on the fret board and carries the
track to greater heights. The powerful rhythms will certainly grab you!
Latitude
Striking and
punchy with plenty of melody. The drum beats are solid with a good kick,
however vocally still a little weak and I feel, needs, a bit more aggression in
order to really bring this track to full throttle.
Excite Excel
Heavy and solid
low tuned guitar that has a great bite.
Further on the track becomes more aggressive as any rock album will
allow and the drumming brings the track up to a new level. Vocally stronger which helps and a nice
helping of bass. The guitar again takes precedence over the track and gives it
a striking quality with superb chug!
Just another Problem
A good sneaky
bass lick and a mischievous little drum beat that simply prowls accompanied by devious
riffs and great deep rhythms. Liking this a lot!
Under my Skin
Thundering
start to a really fast paced track, although it suddenly dips and takes its
time getting back to its peak which I feel is a little detrimental to the track
But it has some gorgeous melodic guitar though, that is really seamless in
delivery and offers some blistering riffs.
Breaking me down
Atmospheric with
a devilish pumping riff and hard drum beat but slightly loses a bit of intensity vocally,
although further on in the track there’s a nice bit of growl!
Head 13
Struggling
Another melodic and intense track with great drumming that throws out stark rhythms and very
catchy indeed. It is so far the most savage on the album and I can feel the
repeat button looming. A really great satisfying listen that will have you
dancing around your bedroom! Another favourite one!
What it takes
A slower paced
ambling track that turns into chunky rhythms with stupendous vocal range from a
rapping effect to deep roaring growls with plenty of harmonious elements –
great track with superb clarity and direction and yes another favourite!
To sum up:
There are some
amazing high points on this album (Check out Fuck out the way, Struggling and
What it Takes) amid just a few lows of weak vocal, (Latitude) however I think
Kenny has redeemed himself on “What it Takes” as this clearly shows his true
vocal range. Musically there is a lot of pumping rhythms that hold catchy and
vibrant elements to their music and certainly a lot of melodic moments too.
I was not taken
at first with the rapping kind of vocal, however it has grown on me and indeed suits the music Head 13
put out in abundance. However, there is a certain predictability with the
tracks, especially vocally, but on a positive note the band give out some
intimidating rhythms that simply can’t be ignored and after listening a few
times the tracks do hook you in so this album has plenty of potential, and also
it offers something new to the scene.
Looking forward
to catching the band live at some point and sampling their unusual blend of
rock for myself!
8½/10
Track List:
Moving on Stone
Broken Man
No Use
Fuck out the way
Stuck on Yourself
Latitude
Excite Excel
Just another Problem
Under my Skin
Breaking me down
Struggling
What it takes
Members:
Kenny Stone - Vocals
James Gordon - Guitar
Ian Mason Jones - Bass
Norm Walker - Drums
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