Deadhand
Deadhand
Self-Released (2011)
RIYL: Big hooks and killer solos ala Face to Face and Bayside
Score: 9/10
Deadhand began life as Lydia Vance, a four piece rock/punk band that seemed as cursed as they were driven. Recently, they shut down the revolving door of second guitarists, cut the harmonies, and rebranded themselves, all in time to release their new self-titled record. And how does that record sound? To put it simply, Deadhand rocks.
The first thing you’ll notice when popping Deadhand into your stereo is that frontman Brendon Scholz absolutely kills on the guitar. And hey, you don’t get named Vegas Seven’s Best Guitarist of 2011 without kicking some ass on the ax. If Scholz’s explosive guitar solo in energetic opener Prehistoric doesn’t simultaneously knock you out of your seat and get you in the air guitar position then something went wrong in your life. But a band can’t live on guitar solos alone, so luckily Scholz is backed by Jarred Cooper on bass and Aaron Weislogel on drums. Did I mention they’re the best rhythm section in town?
Deadhand keeps this debut interesting by packing it with a variety of styles and influences. The slower-tempo verses of In on the Self-Medicator really showcase Weislogel’s talent on the skins, which drive the minimal instrumentation of the verses and lead into the soaring, fist-pumping chorus. Easy Way Out is a mellow treat with great, thumping bass, and another incredible solo in the bridge. Just when you think the band is content to keep things soft, they show that they can pull off intensity with ease on Taste, complete with frantic start-and-stop verses, the album’s angriest vocal performance, and a huge, hook-ridden chorus. Closer Set My Sights to Kill has a great hard rock intro and a smooth punk rock beat.
All technical aptitude aside, the band is at their best when they embrace their obvious talent for writing big, hooked-filled rock songs. Places (Love Can Go) is one of the album’s strongest tracks, a straight on pop-punk affair that rivals Face to Face at their best. It’s the album’s most lively track and is guaranteed to get you singing along and reaching for the repeat button. Though if you can’t move forward you’ll miss the excellent Backup, a song that sounds just as good plugged in as the acoustic version we premiered here. It showcases a softer side of the band, both in clean vocal delivery and lyrics about being in love even when it doesn’t make sense.
Deadhand was a long time coming and ends up more than worth the wait. It’s an album with broad appeal, bringing punk kids and rock kids together and the songs would sound just as good in a small club as they would on a big stage, which I definitely think is within their reach. You can purchase Deadhand now from the band’s webstore.
-Emily Matview
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