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Fast, aggressive and melodic punk is on a tear. Even though there isn't an overwhelming number of bands playing this style, what's out there -- new albums from Bigwig, No Trigger and Crime In Stereo -- is entirely high-quality and energized. The most recent band to seemingly appear out of nowhere and slap me with a deliciously catchy and explosive slab of punk/hardcore, Ryan's Hope keeps the streak of goodness alive.
The trio's debut full-length, Apocalypse In Increments, is centered on driving, upbeat tempos, chunky chord progressions and catchy guitar leads, and an unforgettable vocal performance. Singer and guitarist Terry Morrow, whose mid-ranged, sometimes raspy singing voice often resembles that of Bad Religion's Greg Graffin, carries Ryan's Hope. Infectious vocal hooks litter most every corner of Apocalypse In Increments and, whether they're paired with the band's especially aggressive or purely catchy musical backdrops, are more than strong enough to get lodged in listeners’ heads.
The album, while not afraid to showcase Ryan's Hope's musical skill and precision, has that three-piece feeling; the music isn't overloaded with layers and complexity, but it also isn't thin on rich, meaty sounds. For that, one can credit the superb production or, more importantly, the band's tastefully placed plunges into metallic territory. Scattered throughout Apocalypse In Increments are in-your-face, intense blasts of chunky, metallic riffs and drumming patterns. "Haven't Got The Time" and "By The Sword" are raging songs that bring those flavors to the forefront and still sound natural. It's clear that these guys actually listen to metal.
Ryan's Hope is a smart, well-rounded group of song writers. Apocalypse In Increments has completely dominated my music playlist for the last month and, with such a tasteful mix of fucking catchy and fucking intense, I'm certain it will dominate for weeks to come. If your taste in music is anything like mine, I'd consider this a must-have record.
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