大象传媒

How time flies. The album was only out last year, but it seems like much longer ago since we last came across ICOF. Indeed we'd almost forgotten about them, so it was nice to catch up again.

First though, The Key Of Atlas continue to grow in stature with each appearance, adding new material from even just a couple of weeks ago. However, this newfound maturity doesn't mean they've forgotten how to make some noise with the like of 'Try Too Soon' being suitably thrashy and trashy art-punk-noise. 'When Fathers Were Kings' in contrast would be at home on an emo-teen-drama soundtrack, though there's nothing wrong with that! While 'Pure Black Spectrum' seems to marry these twin directions. 听At this rate, they could be something special sometime soon.

More Than Conquerors are, likewise, one of the coming new wave of bands waiting to fill the gaps left by others moving on. What intrigues about them is the range in what they're doing, from the threatening bass and spat out sneering vocals of 'Never Saw It Coming' to the funky poppy 'Go On Go On Go', while 'Hope Is A Red Dress' is almost a vaudevillian stomp. For an old grunge head with a love of dance music though, it's the closing number that nails it as a band to watch, with angry vocals, bit of DFA cowbell, and a retro-stoner-punk-pop feel. Again, ones to watch.

In Case Of Fire, of course have been watched for a while. Thinking back to how long we've known them makes us all feel very old. Their experience shows in how tight and confident they are, and how they are able to brush off the technical difficulties that hit the set. From the likes of 'The Cleansing' to requested set-closer 'Violence And Pictures', they're comfortable having done this all before on bigger stages. It's a combination of bludgeoning drums, operatic soaring vocals and intricate guitar, usually loud, letting the songs breathe, even including a bit a of thrashy wig-out in the madness.

Arguably they've become a bit more of a straight rock band in their time away, and seem more relaxed than before. They've ditched their trademark on-stage uniforms, but are still capable of crafting songs that could light up a main stage at a festival with pounding beats and falsetto vocals that would make Muse envious. How could we have forgotten about them?

Welcome back lads, don't leave it so long next time.

William Johnston