- Apr 5, 2003
- 2,668
- 2
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Allergo - Summer '05
Self-Released - 2005
By Brandon Strader
Straight from Perth comes Allergo, a band claiming to be hardcore yet sounding so much better than the average. This is a self-produced promo or something entitled Summer '05 which was recorded in their lead guitarist's living room using "shabby equipment" - a phrase usually coined by bands that sound like crap, but the quality of this recording is fantastic for such a low-budget home recording! Sure, there's a small bit of static but you won't notice that while they are playing.
There aren't any hardcore breakdowns! Or at least if there are, they do a good job of hiding it by adding other elements to the sound, like a pummeling percussive performance, guitar shredding noise, or not lingering in such a state for long. Allergo has a great bit of creativity and fine songwriting skills, and Summer '05 barely has a dull moment.
The mixing and mastering is very impressive and actually has better sound than you might expect from some more professional studio recordings! The vocals are higher-pitched yells rather than screams, which have a somewhat similar sound yet works better for hardcore. The guitar work has had a lot of skill put into it, from chord to lead parts, and helps to push the unique progressions further. The bass is a slight bit distorted, but is also very strong and present in the mix. One of the most impressive aspects of Summer '05 is the percussion! Rather than using double bass and blastbeats constantly, the drummer has some jazz-influenced sections, and thorough use of the toms as well. This is probably good, as one of the bass drums sounds a bit weaker than the other.
The songs sound like they could have been recorded live in this living room setting, which is a good thing! Music is a living, breathing thing, and hardcore bands tend to really over-produce their music to the point of killing it. Allergo is a band worth keeping an eye on for the future. For fans of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Allergo Website
Self-Released - 2005
By Brandon Strader
Straight from Perth comes Allergo, a band claiming to be hardcore yet sounding so much better than the average. This is a self-produced promo or something entitled Summer '05 which was recorded in their lead guitarist's living room using "shabby equipment" - a phrase usually coined by bands that sound like crap, but the quality of this recording is fantastic for such a low-budget home recording! Sure, there's a small bit of static but you won't notice that while they are playing.
There aren't any hardcore breakdowns! Or at least if there are, they do a good job of hiding it by adding other elements to the sound, like a pummeling percussive performance, guitar shredding noise, or not lingering in such a state for long. Allergo has a great bit of creativity and fine songwriting skills, and Summer '05 barely has a dull moment.
The mixing and mastering is very impressive and actually has better sound than you might expect from some more professional studio recordings! The vocals are higher-pitched yells rather than screams, which have a somewhat similar sound yet works better for hardcore. The guitar work has had a lot of skill put into it, from chord to lead parts, and helps to push the unique progressions further. The bass is a slight bit distorted, but is also very strong and present in the mix. One of the most impressive aspects of Summer '05 is the percussion! Rather than using double bass and blastbeats constantly, the drummer has some jazz-influenced sections, and thorough use of the toms as well. This is probably good, as one of the bass drums sounds a bit weaker than the other.
The songs sound like they could have been recorded live in this living room setting, which is a good thing! Music is a living, breathing thing, and hardcore bands tend to really over-produce their music to the point of killing it. Allergo is a band worth keeping an eye on for the future. For fans of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Allergo Website
