By Jonni Davidson
Yorkshire lads Of Allies display some considerable melodic chops interspersed with accoutrements of alt metal bombast on their sophomore full-length. The four-piece’s proclivity for combining the more ambient moments of Deaf Havana style indie radio rock, with hulking Deftones inspired interjections serves them well on ‘Are We Better Off?’, and is certainly a cut above the more generic drudgery more commonly found among their American counterparts.
First song proper ‘An Echo (Or Nothing)’ is a soaring opener, much in the vein of your Breaking Benjamin’s et al; the key strength here being that there is a more tangible sincerity behind Ryan Nichols’ impassioned vocal delivery. ‘Off The Map’ is indicative of the band’s ability to weave an atmospheric soundscape around a hook with intentionality and minus a trace of cynicism, before an almighty pendulum riff rumbles in to pay some homage to Steph Carpenter.
Nichols and Tom Hewson go into a more subdued mid-noughties post-hardcore style on the entrancing ‘Blossoms’, also evoked on the beat-driven ‘Deadlights’ which is reminiscent of early Bloc Party at their more unassuming moments. The title track proves to be an album highlight; a slow-burning number with a serpentine vocal melody that once again gradually resolves in a cathartic instrumental crescendo, leading into the equally impressive ‘The Hierophant.’
Of Allies could easily occupy an unreserved spot in the British rock scene right now, once held in yesteryear by bands like Hundred Reasons and InMe. While they do share some similarities with several of their more radio-ready homegrown contemporaries, these guys manage to supersede them by simultaneously displaying more subtlety, whilst also bearing more teeth.
- ‘Are We Better Off?’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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