EP Review: V

Good punk in this country has always been few and far between. Ducking in and out of the spotlight, the well-known acts of the New Zealand scene have been the ones that have powered on. Despite almost been absorbed by sub genres and surviving fads throughout years. Wellington based four piece Starving Millions is proving to do just that. With their fifth release appropriately titled V out this week, I had to check out the next chapter in this bands, already awesome back catalogue.

Fading in with a dusty devils guitar and shallow death metal like vocals, the EP kicks off with an unexpected undertone. Casting an angle of evil and anger right from the start. It was clear I was in my element right away.Clearing things up with the classic punk rock beat of Fear and Hate, we get a fist full of sick riffs coupled up with a crowd stirring vocal, firmly stuck in our heads.

Gnarling into the next track Us and Them we are faced with a stomping fortress of guitars and drums. Exciting the ear with metal like arrangements and even throwing in a blast beat for good measure, this track was a clear favourite for me.Heading down the hill into the fourth track Self Important Fool, we start to feel the lighter side of things with a triumphant charge of guitars backed with a belted out lyric. Sobering the mood with a slight sense of raw emotion and then stomping it into the ground before it’s too late.

Shadowed by screams in the distance, the fifth track takes us in one side and out the other. Slow and low, then exploding out, this final flight builds to an epic climax, before dramatically falling into a submersible silence. With the abrupt ending leaving the listener stunned we find ourselves back at the beginning in no time. the perfect hook to finish things off.

The production on this EP impressed me immensely, especially the guitar tones and snare drum. Most importantly, the unique vocal styles cut through displaying a trademark of the bands sound. this EP is set to cement their place right next to some of the best New Zealand punk acts. Be sure to check it out, you won’t regret it and make sure to catch these guys out on the road this spring, with several shows booked in the next coming months. 

-5 Stars

EP Link

_{Review written by Matt Mutinous}