Quick And The Dead  - For The Rhythm EP

     With an explosive return as dynamic as a volcanic discharge and almost as devastating comes Quick And The Dead; their return in a new guise as previously they were known as ‘Marvel’, gives us stunning pop punk with no quarters given as infectious hooks and riffs in an unrelenting onslaught emerges like a new order for a stale genre. Their new five track EP is pure razor sharp adrenaline that compounds the feeling that there is a new energy and surge of inspiration to not only revive but drive forward pop punk as a valid and creative force. With recent stunning releases from Max Raptor and Innercity Pirates to give hope this third gem in the shape of the For The Rhythm EP shows the future looks bright and punk.

     The EP hits hard from the first chords of opener ‘Get Scared?, a pulsing bassline, punishing drums and dynamic guitars all stirring up a frenzy of sound that erupts into a crushing slice of intense attitude soaked pop. The quartet of skills from Dominic Quaeck, Nick Baxter, Todd MacDonald, and Sam Falle are a fusion bringing a fresh energised sound that simply delights and grabs the listener by the ears as it fills their musical hearts. ‘Sparks’ follows with no drop in intensity or quality something that can be applied to the whole release to be fair. The sing-a-long chorus is instinctively infectious and the switch between mellow moments and the lively out bursts are smooth and faultless. The track at times has the instant pop grooves of Swound!, the inspired melodies and infectiousness of Baddies, and the punk attack of Rise Against, a heady mix that is irresistible.  

     The next two songs ‘Carry On Reaper’ and ‘Savaged’ are a slightly harder duo though still with the addictive riffs and choruses running through delightful melodies. The guitars have a sound that At The Drive In might have used if they had thought of them first. Lyrically here and throughout the release, often in the vocal tones too, there is a bite and incisive creativity that Reuben were renowned for, the use of melodies within a punk attack is a mutual and impressive trait they and Quick And The Dead share.

      The final and title track is the best of the lot, to say it is a near perfect moment would not be a praise too far. The dirty growling bass is a delight accompanied by a great robust drum attack supplying the reason for the tracks declaration that “...you will learn to dance to the rhythm, die for the rhythm.” The guitars and vocals all supply an urgency that adds fuel to the song without ever losing that addictive melodic sound and chorus. 

      The Quick And The Dead take their great well written pop songs and turn them into aggressive and expressive punk soaked slices of sound that cannot and should not be ignored. With the production of Jason Wilcock (Ghost of a Thousand, You Me At Six, My Passion, Fightstar) at Stakeout Studios the band breathe new life and hope, alongside a few others, into a genre that was veering off into the murky mists of mediocrity at its best. Now there is a beacon held high by the likes of Quick And The Dead. The For The Rhythm EP is released on June 6th via Hairy Wolf Records.

Myspace: www.myspace.com/quickandthedeadmusic