Like A Storm

The End of the Beginning

 

Chris Brooks – Vocals, guitar

Matt Brooks – Vocals, guitar

Kent Brooks – Bass, vocals

Thomas Karanasos - Drums

 

            Half way around the world a band was brewing taking their native country by storm. The New Zealand rockers began in 2005 and moved to North America. They spend sometime in L.A. and in Canada finally coming to rest in Vancouver. It only took one show to stir up buzz about them. In 2007 they began working with Mike Plotnikoff on the debut album and after 16 months of writing and recording The End of the Beginning was the result. They hit the stage with Creed during the summer of 2009 and the album (only being sold at shows then) went to number 61 on the New Artist Charts. After wrapping up that tour they did a stint with The Veer Union and are currently on tour with Shinedown and Puddle of Mudd. The debut album is set to hit stores in early March. It stretches 12 tracks long and has been described as “an avalanche of captivating choruses and hard-hitting grooves.” The album opens with the title cut “The End of the Beginning.” It’s only a short minute intro that uses the Didgeridoo and several effects. It flows directly into the lead single “Chemical Infatuation.” The catchy track grabs a hold of you right from the start and last until the final note of the track. The vocals are very easy to follow and shout out the lyrics right along with the guys. The drums maintain the steady beat as the guitars roar and soar as the multiple vocals sets run in and slide out in perfect style. Without a hiccup during the track it will get your blood flowing and leave you craving more. “What It’s Like” kicks off with raging guitars and in your face vocals. Once that is out of their system they get down to serious business as vocals come flying in for all direction. They do step it up and let the guitars off their leash from time to time, but the dramatic feeling that they lay down on the slow part of the song is great as it lets you creep in for a closer look then springs the trap as it unloads the power it possesses once again. “Just Save Me” drops a thick line on you as it sounds strangely familiar. The softer side of the guys comes out, but they still do it with an edge. Effects are used to spice the song up, but the vocal sets really lead the track down the golden road. This could be there big time track that propels then into the next tier or higher just like several other bands have had in the past few years. “Enemy” begins with a heartbeat then will startle you as a blast of tunes surrounds you. The drums will stomp a mud hole into you as the guitars slap you around and the vocals take control. This is a perfect live tune with the amount of stage presents the album version has. There are defiantly spots where the crowd can really get involved. “Don’t Cry” is another soft track with loads of passion and emotion streaming from every note. It offers up an amazing message in the lyrics as the piano enhances the amount of emotion coming from this song. “Lie To Me” bust down the door with a heavy guitar and low vocals that turn into hard drums and raging guitars mixed with in your face vocals. The track just continues a top notch album. “Galaxy (Rest in Peace)” was the track I was intrigued by just with reading the title. It begins with an old school record spinning on a record player sound then the true song sweeps in and takes you off your feet. There are a few spots that sound really familiar to other pieces that are out there, but with the amount of tracks out there it’s hard not to step on toes. With that being said it is still a tremendous song and one that fans will fall in love with. “Make A Stand” is a good track, but along side most of the tracks before it on the album it will probably just get lost in the shuffle. It would be a stellar track on most albums that I have listened to in the past few years, but it just falls a bit short on this album. The song does have strong vocals and decent tunes. “Alone” is another track that falls into the same category as “Make A Stand.” It’s strong and could find its way onto the live set once and a while, but most of the song streams along at a “B” level. There are moments that are brilliant and that is way a live version might do the song a bit more justice. “Change Tomorrow” slows the album back down and lets the lyrics do the work of a hundred men. They will touch your heart and will have you waving your lighters and cell phone high into the air. The album closes up with “Keep This Pain Alive” the longest track of the album. It turns up the dials up a bit. They don't get completely crazy as they stay well controlled and consistent. It cruises by with sweet guitars, solid drums, and good vocals. It gets really good half way through during the solo sections as it is a whirlwind of sounds that draws you close. Overall this is a killer album that everyone needs to add to their collection. Anyone would be so proud of any of these tracks if they produced them, let alone an entire album like this. It’s hard to have an album that is as complete as this one is. Several tracks have the potential of doing a lot of work for the band. They play well together, write together, and have fun. Those items are key in forming a band and becoming successful. Career bands have that knack of just gelling and producing.

   

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Tracks to Watch:

Mmm, All of them

 

Track List:

1. The End of the Beginning
2. Chemical Infatuation
3. What It’s Like
4. Just Save Me
5. Enemy
6. Don’t Cry
7. Lie To Me
8. Galaxy (Rest in Peace)
9. Make A Stand
10. Alone
11. Change Tomorrow
12. Keep This Pain Alive

Website (s): www.likeastorm.com