Artist: Sondura
Title: Live Before You Die
Type: Album
Label: P and C Hardsound Records
London band Sondura (translation ‘Hard Sound’ from Portuguese) named under the assumption that this was due to brothers Tom and Jack Watson spending a few years living in the Algarve, have been making some headlines recently, there is a huge buzz about this band in the mainstream press. From the opening tune, I am immediately drawn to Lost Prophets and Nickleback by comparison, using many of the riffs that Papa Roach stole in the late 1990’s from other well-respected bands. It’s not a bad combination and it is pretty addictive than what it sounds like on paper. The band has a large part in the current Guitar Hero Scene, touring schools etc, but to me that has nothing to do with music, but actually prevents young people from picking up an instrument for real by making it seem easy to play these instruments without having to practice for hours, bah, maybe I am just old and grumpy, I never see the point in this Guitar Hero thing!
So back to the band! The album lays down some groove and plenty of emo/metalcore moments; simple chord structures and easy guitar riffs make for a good radio friendly album. ‘Black and White’ has an opening section with many Tool-isms thrown in. ‘Falling Free’ shows the first sign of emotion; very Jon Bon Jovi ballad like actually, this is where there is promise, I even asked my wife’s opinion on this one. That is where I am torn, my wife likes this album and she does not like metal! Their influences are listed and sound like all the bands that I actually hated and despised, as I am 10 years older now I have learnt to respect (or rather ignore!) such things, but it still does no favour with me. The metalcore screams prove disappointing and ruin the usually faultless vocal performance. Each song has its own memory grabbing moment, hook and melody, there is no doubting this is infectious, these chaps know exactly how to make you remember their songs. I am actually really surprised that this band is not signed to a major label.
The album is particularly aimed at the young MTV2/Scuzz/Kerrapp TV generation based on the commercial approach and sounds produced. I do like these tunes and this album with all the hooks and thrills associated with it, but a hardened metaller will not take to this. It’s a young album for a young generation; I do feel there is promise and prospects ahead for this band playing in this style, at this time in music. All the best to them, but this is not really for me.
http://www.myspace.com/sondura
Paul Maddison
MTUK HOME
