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th, and running through until December 10th, the London five-piece open the show on the Five Finger Death Punch / Shinedown /Sixx AM arena tour, which is proving to be a very hot ticket indeed. Less harsh and metalcore than Bring Me The Horizon or Of Mice And Men, this is what modern day metal/rock sounds like, and the Americans should lap up As Lions. ‘Aftermath’ provides four tracks that will whet appetites, as the band fill the stop-gap before recording their debut full length album, whenever they get a break from touring. The title track, and current video, opens the EP up with a slight Linkin Park vibe, but this quickly disappears, as the band settle into a meaty groove with a huge chorus. Vocalist, Austin Dickinson begins gently with an almost spoken word vocal performance that lifts off as the band members come crashing in. Very slick and majestic, this will sound massive in one of the enormo-domes that the band will soon be visiting stateside. ‘White Flags’ changes it up, with a pounding drumbeat from Dave Fee that impresses throughout. The song is very much all about the drums and electronics, as the guitars are way down in the mix. Now, normally, that would be a non starter for me, where’s the solo? Where’s the riffs? Sometimes it’s good to get out of that old fashioned way of thinking to embrace something new. Not to worry though, as the high quality continues with ‘Deathless’, which slams, easily appealing to fans of Oli Sykes and Co. It’s heavy, but not in such a way that might alienate casual listeners. Those missing guitar riffs? There they are! As Lions have, however, saved the best for last. ‘World On Fire’ is simply humongous. The gentle piano intro is perfect for this emotional tale of today’s fucked up world, #generationfucked? More like #generationthisisonlythebeginning. When you break the song down, it’s basically a classic hard rock slow burning epic (for want of a better word)… slow intro, gradually building to a uplifting mid section, complete with a massive guitar solo. A set closing beauty, which will see the band leaving the stage emotionally and musically spent. As Lions are a modern band that sound worldly, rather than a British band trying to sound American… but the ‘lamb shanks’ will love it. Review: Dave Stott
