Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

Like a caged wildcat suddenly released, this album doesn't hold back. It piles in good and hard, fast, proud, loud and with so much energy Reliance probably glow in the dark. It's solid riffing through and through: drums, bass and guitar creating one of the best punk walls of noise I've heard in a long time. The vocal sits on top, sung more than sneered - a band so comfortable and confident they don't care if suddenly the backing vocals slip into harmonies. I saw them described as "melodic punk" and I think that's a good description. They sound like the Ramones crossed with the Sex Pistols and then slip in some pop sensibilities a la Australia's 5 Seconds Of Summer. I loved the guitar figures in tracks like "Broken Bottles", the short but sweet solos, the manic riffing of "Not This Time', the background full-band riffing of "Crashing Down" and the sheer solid musicality of it all - energy with direction. Lyrically they're subtler about their faith than some bands, but it is still referenced ("Once Blind" is a good example). If you like your music fast and loud, then this is right up your street.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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