It’s been a long time in between drinks for this Melbourne band. Seven to eight years in fact, since their debut album, Given to Destroyers. Is the follow-up worth the seemingly interminable wait?
This is a band that refuses to be easily categorised, too heavy to be put in with the alternative rock thing, too melodic to be considered strictly metal. And that continues on Reality Kicks. There are many moments that rip the flesh from your bones, moments of percussive thunder, moments of soaring, dramatic, exhilarating rock, but also some real introspection, ambience and beauty.
These are things that have always been a part of the Sydonia sound. This album shows a band that barely seem to have skipped a beat in seven years, but have grown and expanded at the same time. Reality Kicks displays a band covering much musical territory, but doing so in a very focused and highly skilled manner. A band that hasn’t lost sight of their direction and goals, despite such a long wait and all the life’s events that no doubt occurred during that time.
The songs are strong. Nuclear strength in fact, with barely a weak link amongst the 13 on offer here. There is extreme anger (Elbow), moody ambience (Nobodies), acoustic ear candy (title track) and plenty more. There is also musicianship of the highest order and production that is neither too slick nor too raw.
Is it worth the wait? The answer is a very resounding yes. This album proves that Sydonia still kick arse.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: Sinner
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: COG, KORN, HELM
In A Word: Huge
