EP DEBUT: "Events Occur in Real Time" by Banshee
‘Events Occur In Real Time’ EP Cover Art. via Banshee
Artist: Banshee
Genre: Metal / Hardcore
Label: Unsigned
Reviewed Music: ‘Events Occur in Real Time’ (Debut EP Release, 6 Tracks, 16 minutes, 43 sec)
"Terror Bird" (2:24)
“Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe” (2:07)
“Lizard Conditions” (3:32)
“Sunflower” (2:50)
“Hollywood Burn” (1:47)
“Constable” (2:58)
Review of ‘Events Occur In Real Time’ by Banshee (EP) by Nic Beardsley of Dear Untitled
Ripping through the speakers with a searing guitar/kickdrum entry, Banshee, a brand new hardcore punk band hailing from Schenectady, NY, launches their way into the scene. Formed in 2018, Banshee manifests their influences, such as Metallica and The Dillinger Escape Plan, into their debut compilation of chaotic self discovery: ‘Events Occur In Real Time’ (EP, 2020). Culminating after a tumultuous journey, there is no telling what secrets lie embedded in the next minute, let alone 10 seconds, of each track across this EP!
“….The pain of living
is we know not what we do
so what am I speaking in tongues
or just running my fucking mouth?….”- Excerpt from “Terror Bird” by Banshee
Coarse, surging lyrics by Nico Cafarelli come screaming through the softened noise, only to be harshly reset by the repeated blast of sound from the opening of the piece. An absurd mesh of Mike Hranica-esque vocals, the aggression of ‘Anti-Mother’ era Norma Jean, and the unpredictable direction of rabid creativity define the opening track “Terror Bird”, taking no prisoners.
“Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe” opens with a calmer tone, but instantly changes as Cafarelli once more commandeers the chaos with his voice. Mixing in more of a “blues-y vibe” to this song, there is no hesitation by Banshee as they hurtle directly into the groovy riffs. The segue into what listeners know as the second released single, “Lizard Conditions” is a well placed, calculated move. Although not an ingrained or seamless track to track transition, the placement of “Lizard Conditions” in context on the EP feels more natural after hearing it with it’s precursor track, rather than the choppier feel acquired from the standalone single presentation.
With just enough conspiracy enlightenment racing through our bloodstreams after that, the swirling respite of atmospheric tones carries listeners further into this adventure, leading them unknowingly to the bludgeoning ahead of ‘Sunflower’ - Banshee’s debut single. Dispelling any debut jitters, the unrelenting intensity continues to roll…
“…Honey you're cruel won't you listen to me
You may be a ghost but you sure ain't holy
Everyone thinks they're a goddamn witch
Well Salem's back in style so light it up again at a thousand degrees
You're gonna bleed till your heart's content…”- Excerpt from “Sunflower” by Banshee
A well packaged, albeit too brief, 1:47 of “Hollywood Burn” shows Banshee locked in full stride. Tactful contortions around the mayhem of lyrical wildfire, complimented by rapid fire blast beats, drive their story home. “Constable” merely amplifies the tsunami of sound from across the EP, crashing the momentum fiercely into a fitting western-themed “outro” to close.
Accented by an assortment of ‘on the fly’ key and tempo changes, Banshee prides themselves in keeping the audience on edge while dishing the heated fervor embedded at the core of their craft. Reviving a rage and vigor highlighted in the early 2000s, Banshee’s stylistic evolution garners many peer comparisons from across the past 2 decades. While preserving their unique and poignant tone, this project is a frenetic and unbridled ball of atomic force, anxious to break the confines of this debut.
"...the more manic sounding and hectic and weirder riffs - that really drew me into wanting to do this (Banshee), so now its kinda like a game of how I can split them both down the middle and make it be like the blender thing again - if I could put James Hetfield's (Metallica) and Greg Puciato's (Dillinger) sounds in a blender that's what I would do..." - Nico Cafarelli (The Dear Untitled Podcast - Ep #29)
Demonstrating a range of tasty riffs, composition, and gritty yells, Banshee’s debut EP has something to impress even the most skeptical of listeners. The diversity of ‘Events Occur In Real Time’, paired with an impressive sonic dissonance, makes Banshee’s debut a remarkable listen, not to mention a stunning mid-year release in an existentially trying 2020. - Nic B
‘Events Occur in Real Time’ by Banshee - out EVERYWHERE July 10th, 2020.
FFO: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Azusa, Kingpin, Norma Jean, Moon Rot
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
PODCAST: The Dear Untitled Podcast - Episode #29 - Nico Cafarelli of Banshee