Hell Is For Heroes - Transmit Disrupt (Transmit Disrupt - Hell Is For Heroes)

Member Name: carlmcq

Product:	Transmit Disrupt - Hell Is For Heroes
Date:	31/07/06 (174 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A worthy follow up to "Neon Handshake"

Disadvantages: Not the immediate effect of it's predecessor

This is finally the follow up to the London rocker's debut release, The Neon Handshake, and comparisons will always be made between these two, quite different, pieces of music.

Opening track 'Kamichi' is big highlight of the album, and is an excellent piece of music to kick-start proceedings. It reflects some of the maturity that has been developed since TNH, such as the haunting melodies of the bridge, with the high singing in the background. An excellent start.

'Models for the Programme' starts off far different to the majority of tracks from the debut release - this starts of with a simple drum intro, going straight into the verse. As soon as Justin Schollosberg, who proves further his vocal stength on this album, declares 'This is a crack down', the tempo builds further and further, but never quite explodes like many tracks from TNH would have done. Many people would see this as a positive, others, a negative - whichever HIFH fanbase you see yourself from.

'Quiet Riot' seems to make up for the 'exploding' that MFTP didn't do during it's choruses - the trademark of the band's musical style. This song doesn't hit you straight away like songs such as 'Kamichi' and 'One Of Us' does, which is frustrating, as all tracks from TNH did this, and this is certainly a weakness of Transmit Disrupt.

'Folder Paper Figures' is back on form however. A highlight of the album for me - this is the kind of track that the band are good at doing. Loud meets quiet. Melody meets distruction. And it sounds fantastic live as well.

'They Will Call Us Savages' has a similar structure to MFTP, but the opening bass riff to accompany the vocals works better here, but again it doesn't quite explode into the mouthwatering piece like their earlier work. However, this track isn't effected by this - rather it shows us the maturity of their work this time around with clever, layered music.

'Silent As The Grave' shows another trademark of the band, with the quick, snappy yelps from Justin during the verses. This track, along with TWCUS is a great example that they are developing their music, rather than just making it become stale. Some people may say if it's not broke, why fix it? Well this is why - because better music can become of it.

'One Of Us' must be the best track on the album, it slowly builds us into it, and then after the opening verse, smashes into a display of raw, emotive music that guides us to the end. An excellent set opener I should point out as well.

'Transmit Disrupt', the title track from the album, is a soothing piece, much like the first half of 'Slow Song' is from TNH, but this remains more consistent, and has more complexity to it's melody. Like 'Slow Song', it does eventually rip into something louder, with the eventual fading out of 'Break down the satellite', but we wouldn't want it any other way really.

'Discos and Casinos' goes quietly unnoticed by many on this album unfortunately, as it's a more than adequate piece of music in my opinion, especially considering it's so far back on the album.

'Burning Lafayette' is the closing track of the album - 7 minutes worth of it, although granted the last 4 minutes are merely instrumental to genuinely give the closing feeling to the album.

Coincidently, you'll note there are 12 tracks on this album, but only 10 songs listed - tracks 5 & 9 are, for some unknown reason to me, are little more than bits of feedback and so forth.

I recently caught them at a gig nearby my hometown, and they put on an excellent performance, full of energy and adrenaline. The epitomy of what bands like this should be like. The newcomer to this band may be advised to purchased The Neon Handshake first, before Transmit Disrupt, just to ensure it sets you up for this mature wake-up call.

Oh...and you can pick up a copy from Amazon for £7.99, which is off their new label, "Burning Hearts" and includes a new track - "Road To Hell". You can pick up the edition which was released off their own private label and what I brought, Factotum, for £12.99

Summary: A strong second album from an exciting young British band