SHREDnews

By: Poppy Cleere

Most people would feel that a band had ‘jumped the gun’ slightly if after just one rehearsal together they decided to up-sticks to Canada, saying a sudden goodbye to their native New Zealand home. What if – like so often with bands – the members fall-out? Perhaps, while tucking into their lumpy plane food, they decide that it’s all too soon?  However, it’s to this remarkable determination and faith in their musical ability that Like A Storm owes much of their success.

Brothers Matt, Chris and Kent Brooks began their musical journey back in 2005 where, once settled in their new home, they played their first live show as Like A Storm to a much impressed group of music-lovers, one of which would help lead the band to the big-time. It seems more than just coincidence, perhaps fate even, that Kai Marcus (Methods of Mayhem/Noise Therapy)  witnessed LAS’ show that night and after being completely blown-away he struck up a friendship with the boys. In early 2006 Kai introduced the band to the man responsible for helping bring some of the worlds best-known and best-loved albums to us over the last two decades. Having engineered albums from the likes of superstars Aerosmith, Van Halen and Kiss, to producing full-lengths by Drowning Pool, Noise Therapy and Buck Cherry, it’s an understatement to say that meeting living-legend Mike Plotnikoff was a dream come true for the brothers who had arrived just months ago.

In 2007 Like A Storm, then joined in the production stages by former Yes keyboardist Igor Khoroshev, officially started recording The End of The Beginning with Plotnikoff in Casablancas, CA.

Now, after two years in the making, what has emerged is a 13-track tidal wave of infectious rock music that’s set to concrete Like A Storms already strong stance in the music industry. The End of the beginning is a debut of epic proportions.

Building softly from the rather sinister yet impressive Didgeridoo-based title-track, The End of the beginning rolls straight into the band’s hard-hitting first single, Chemical Infatuation, a dark and brutally honest introduction to Like A Storms heavy rock sound. The thumping main riff teamed with Thomas Karanasos’s (who completes the line-up on drums) doomsday beat, creates what I can only describe as the sound of an addictive headache, and by this means it’s a good thing.  The song really captures that non-stop pushing feeling of obsession and addiction, not only in the melody but in the lyrics too. It’s hooks you just like the topic it speaks of and promises not to let you go even after the final notes ring out, definitely one for repeat.

The album moves onto more mainstream territory with arena-worthy anthem, Just Save Me. Distorted guitars are joined by well placed electronics as we enter the catchy chorus where fans are sure to crank up their air guitars to echo vocalist Chris Brooks, and bellow “What have i become? Can’t raise the morning sun. Just save me” into their their homemade microphones. Also joining the imaginary set list will no doubt be guitar-driven Lie to Me, the blistering berating of liars and dishonesty, as well as pure-rock number Alone, a stand out track due to it’s frenzied 2 minutes 50 play time with a chant-fueled chorus.

Like A Storm completely change tack on track 8, with the beautifully written Galaxy (Rest in Peace) where we get to see the musical opposite of previous tracks,  a softer and slower yet just as emotionally full song.   The piece is a heartfelt goodbye to the brothers grandmother, who sadly passed away during the bands recording process. “She was a huge part of our lives” explained Matt when discussing the album. “Because we were in L.A., we couldn’t be there for the funeral. So that song was our tribute, and we wrote it for the funeral. We had two days to write the track, and the idea came right away. It was probably the easiest song we’ve ever written. It meant so much to all of us. We wanted to do something special and immortalize her.” And special the track is indeed. Perhaps it was due to the emotion being captured so quickly after the sad event, or simply because she meant so much to them, either way the guys have managed to create a truly honest and poignant track that seems to portray both immense sadness and happiness at the celebration of memories. A wonderful and touching tribute.

We end the album with a just-under 7 minute epic track, experimenting with the bands versatile musical abilities yet still keeping true to their edgy sound. Keep the Pain alive once again showcases the impressive vocal talent of the three brothers, especially when the song kicks back in with the piano at the end. The melody seems to draw from all the previous tracks to create a final hard-rock door slam to close this beast of an album.

For Fans Of: Linkin Park, Julien K, Creed

Overall Rating: 9/10

Recommended Tracks: Chemical Infatuation, Galaxy, Just Save Me

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