Originally published by L.S. Media. March 17th 2012
L.S. Media Rating ****
Following on from the Sound of Guns debut album What Came From Fire is the jaw dropping sequel, the outstanding and brilliantly produced Angels and Enemies.
The alternative rock musicians from Liverpool have scored a direct hit with this record which has the guts and power to make sure that the band not only put their personal stamp on the local music scene but also at a national level.
Angels and Enemies is an album that starts off as if the tempo had been played down, taken apart bit by bit and suddenly and dramatically, with every ounce of electricity being drained from the power supply of Liverpool and Bath, where the album was recorded and plugged straight into the amps, guitars and vocals of each and every member of the band. Its effect is outstanding and one that surely will have people listening with keen and adoring ears.
The five piece, Andrew Metcalfe, Lee Glynn, Nathan Crowley, John Coley and Simon Finley show throughout the album that even when a band finishes and the ashes seemingly scattered to the four winds, something good came come out of it and with each track on the new offering sounding as if the heart and soul had been truly and utterly enhanced. It’s no surprise that songs such as The Oceans, The Rivers, The Seas, Whites of Your Eyes and Guide sound as clear and incredible as possible.
The sound is guttural, it’s of Liverpool and of it’s of its time. The lyrics are interesting, demanding and on songs such as End of the World comes across as showing exactly why this city is not just associated with the music, it’s the pure poetry that can drive it as well. The refrain is simple enough to show that the lyrics are easy to learn but also contain the basic belief in good music, passionate elements that are honest to the band’s roots will make them stand out from others that try to be the same but no doubt fail through lack of sincerity.
In this the Sound of Guns are on top of their game and hopefully will continue to be so.
Ian D. Hall