There’s quite a grunge scene appearing in the heart of the Midlands, what with Resin releasing ‘persecution complex’ this year and with Stonepit Drive readying ‘Dystopia’ for early 2016 and it’s good to see that both bands take inspiration from the mid-90s whilst adding their own distinctive touches rather than simply copying a template laid down and calling it original. Where Resin tinge their grunge with metal, Stonepit Drive emphasise the classic rock vibe that lay at the heart of the likes of latter day Soundgarden, Tad and Screaming Trees and the result is a well-produced EP laced with heroic solos and melodic vocals.
Opener ‘Blue flame’ is a case in point. Despite a taut riff and plenty of power, what stands out is the layered vocal delivery and the beautifully fluid solos that wash over the track. It’s a great opener and it leads neatly to the stoner groove of the aptly-named ‘full throttle’. Packing a hefty punch, ‘full throttle’ sees a distorted lead vocal give way to a chorus that (whisper it) would not sound out of place, melodically at least, on an Offspring album. With acoustic guitar layered underneath the potent electric riffs, Stonepit drive never lose sight of the essential melody that drives the song and it helps them to stand out. ‘Rise of the bull’ slows the pace initially, with a quiet, introspective introduction that then gives way to a quiet-loud dynamic that sits somewhere between Pearl Jam and Silverchair. There’s real power here, but also impressive musicianship and the metallic roar that steals the chorus adds an extra layer of heft to the band’s sound. Rising out of the murk, ‘Suffocate’ doesn’t quite detonate in the way that its build up promises, but instead builds into a more sedate track that focuses heavily on melodic vocals that hint at Corey Taylor via Stone Sour. It’s a good track, but it feels like it would pack more of its promised punch in the live environment, although it does pick up momentum after a cool bass solo. The EP ends with the heavy, descending riff of ‘Vive Sine Timore’, a full-blooded track that doesn’t quite seem sure whether to head off on a full-blown metallic excursion and thus ends in something of a compromise.
‘Dystopia’ is a very strong EP from a band who show great promise. There’s enough variety and imagination here to help the band stand out from the crowd, but there’s also occasionally a feeling that the band aren’t quite sure whether to simply let rip or whether to keep themselves tethered in a more melodic vein and that uncertainty can lead to songs which seem something of an awkward compromise, as with ‘Vive Sine Timore’. However, this is a small concern, and what is much more important is that ‘dystopia’ is a well-produced, frequently powerful EP that does much to underscore the many strengths Stonepit Drive show as a live band. In a world that increasingly seems to favour homogeneity, bands like Resin and Stonepit Drive stand out as a vanguard for what (in my relentless march towards old age) I might call ‘real music’ – music born of passion, hard work and ambition – and I have no doubt that ‘dystopia’ is just the beginning of Stonepit Drive’s journey.
