Run With The Torch

With the slogan, “support your locals” in my head I’ve gone out to pick up this album of this local band that was just released. Few months ago I’ve seen Ostend Powers perform on Zandrock festival. And back then I had expected a bit more of the band in terms of performance. But what the band managed to burn on a shiney plastic disc is beyond my expectations.

Other than it is a great debut album, it takes either guts or indifference to debut a Nu- or Crossover-Metal album little before 2010. It even got a “hidden” track, something that once used to be so common. A long long time ago, when I first saw these guys perform, they even had a scratcher. Now there sound has evolved a little over the years, it’s still nu-metal, it still sounds like Deftones, Lost Prophets, Incubus and even some Limp Bizkit. That is to say, vocals ranging from rapping to clean melodics and backing grunts. Supported by 2 7-string guitars, good drumming and a very prominent bass-guitar.

Having seen the band perform for many years, I’m glad there are several new tunes but they haven’t forgotten to include some of their older work, the songs that made want to watch this band over and over again in the first place. Although I had to wait to the very end of the album, that is, the hidden track… to hear I believe their most well known song “Down With The Powers” which is a kickass song that can’t possibly be any more nu-metal .

The production of this album is of great quality, the sound is well balanced and has many layers. The hidden track even features a saxophone solo wich works suprisingly well. It’s hard to imagine this album as the debut of a local band I’ve know for years.

My only problem with it is the following, why did it take so long for Ostend Powers to release their debut?

If you are a fan of nu-metal, and the bands mentioned.. get this album, as non-Belgians this might be a bit hard, but it’s definately worth it.

Official website
Official myspace