Album Review

Night Verses – Out Of The Sky EP

• 14th May 2012

Night Verses is a new band featuring Douglas Robinson, formerly of The Sleeping, on vocals. The band’s four track debut EP will be released tomorrow (15 May) as a free download from this link: [link]

The other members of Night Verses, guitarist Nick DePirro, bassist Reilly Herrera and drummer Aric Improta, had played together for several years as Archives. They recorded a number of instrumental tracks, always looking out for the right vocalist. And when New York rockers The Sleeping went into hiatus they got their man in Robinson.

These four tracks were recorded in Portland and were produced by Kris Crummett (Man Overboard, Closure In Moscow, Alesana, Emarosa, Dead And Divine, Fear Before The March of Flames). They give an introduction to what should be a good addition to the rock world.

From The Shadows Where I’m Low opens with crashing drums and a heavily distorted guitar before a huge riff takes over. The track rises and falls, the vocals strong and even over a huge sound that includes an electronic sample and background squeals. It’s intense and melodic, if sounding a little cluttered in places, and ends with Robinson screaming in fine style.

The EP’s second track, To the Ends of the Earth, starts slowly and builds as the hardcore style vocals mix with more standard delivery. The combination works well and DePirro adds some fine lead guitar work to take the song to an intense climax.

Be Happy With Yourself, I’m Staying Here In Hell could only be a dark song, yet it begins with a gentle sample backing the vocals, which have a strange electronic effect applied. But, as expected, it soon explodes into a powerful rock song featuring another great guitar solo, before it ends in an unexpectedly soft manner.

The closing track, I’ve Lost My Way Back Down is quite simply five minutes of excellent rock music. It’s raw and emotional, featuring a potent bass line, and the song is driven forward by frantic drums as Robinson produces a fine vocal performance. This is the best of the four songs for me.

Overall, this is a decent debut from a new band. The music is complex and multi-layered, and the combination of sheer hardcore power with occasional finesse works well. Releasing a debut EP as a free download is an interesting move, but it could just work out for Night Verses.
So if you fancy a listen, if the idea of 19 minutes of free rock music appeals (and why wouldn’t it?) give this one a try.