GURD

Let's be frank: GURD is completely overlooked on the modern hardcore/crossover scene. Their concerts take place almost exclusively in their native Switzerland, and their albums come out in rather modest pressings. Perhaps the situation will change given the fact that the label Dockyard 1 has taken the band under its wing, and it was on this label that the band's 8th full-length, "Bang!", was released in August 2006. The album opens with the sole thrash composition, "The Grand Deception"; the title track "Bang!" has no thrash elements whatsoever — it's 100% hardcore. The same goes for the slow "Black Money," while "Spirit Of Rock" and "Break The Ban" are excellent crossover, and most of the album's compositions follow this same format. The vocals are typical for hardcore: very rough cleans, occasionally bordering on shrieking. Special mention goes to the track "Wish" — quite pop-oriented, in the traditions of modern American alternative, yet arguably the most vibrant and energetic song on the album. Similarly deserving of attention is the track "Seducer," with a very solid melodic chorus, and in the bridge — unlike the rest of the album's songs — the emphasis is on a guitar solo, resulting in a very serious composition overall. The album closes with "Children Of The Grave," a kind of tribute to hard rock executed brilliantly, and the track "The Storm," preceded by a guitar prelude that is quite measured and melodic; after it, this final composition — arguably the most aggressive on the album — literally fires off and kills, with the whole affair concluding on keyboard chords paired with slow riffs. A most worthy effort; among the considerable number of hardcore releases, it stands out as quite original and interesting, and can certainly appeal to fans of the most diverse styles of heavy music.