Some 10 years after forming and following some personnel changes, Brighton based hard rock band Graces Collide drop their debut album ‘Our Tomorrow’ this month. The powerful melodic, riff laden band, currently comprise Danny Wenham on vocals and lead guitar and the strong and energetic twins Jurgan & Will Hamblin playing bass and rhythm guitars.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJcyrM_vMms&w=560&h=315]The band have bought in up and coming producer George Donoghue (The Rocket Dolls) for ’Our Tomorrow’, and it has been mixed & mastered by heavy weight Romesh Dodangoda (Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons / Bullet For My Valentine), It’s a sign that they are going all out with this record to make their mark and reach a wider audience.
The album opens with the storming ‘This Hell’ with it’s thumping drum beat and Danny Wenham’s powerful vocals more than adequately backed up by plenty of driving riffs from the Hamblin brothers. It’s a hell of a way to introduce yourself and hopefully a sign of things to come. The second single off the album ‘Another Sun’ follows with an even harder, catchy track with Wenham’s vocal complimented by the guest appearance of The Rocket Dolls frontman Nikki Smash, who’s grittier sound really gives this track an edge.
The third track is ‘Ride’ which was the first single off the album and is all about being ground down in a relationship that is going nowhere. This is straight out of the blocks with no messin’, hitting top gear and packing in a banging drum beat alongside plenty of riffs and licks. ‘Fear Alone’ starts off with a gentle piano which lulls you into a false sense of tranquillity before the boys rip it up once more and Wenham’s vocals soar. ‘Find Our Way’ powers through the speakers next and is immediately full of energy without the normal angst alongside a thumping beat.
Next up is the title track, which has all the hallmarks of the Graces Collide sound with its heavy driving beat and guitars and Wenham effortlessly hitting all the right notes once again before my favourite track from the album, ‘Kraken’ which will have your foot tapping and your head banging as you work through all the elements of a great rock track – riffs, hooks and a solid beat.
The tempo is slowed for ‘Run And Hide’ but there are still plenty of grinding guitars and a great vocal and lead guitar performance from Wenham, make this a contender for next single release. As we head towards the album finale, the band pick up the pace once again for ‘Makes me Scream’ which is a thumping wedge of hard rock with the dynamic duo of Jurgan and Will Hamblin driving the track along to enable Wenham’s voice to shine once more.
‘Come Back Down’ doesn’t so much close the album, as slam it in your face, pausing to allow you get your breath at one point, before throwing in some big fat riffs alongside some great harmonies and then it’s gone. Done. But it’s been a hell of a ride.
‘Our Tomorrow’ has elements of Tremonti, Creed, Alter Bridge, Shinedown and others, but the guys don’t shy away or hide that fact, they embrace these influences, resulting in 10 superb tracks, crafted into a must listen debut.
The album launch and plans for the supporting tour have been hit by the measures surrounding the Convid-19 virus, but this album is a must buy addition for any rock fans in lockdown and once the restrictions are lifted, look out for some re-scheduled dates to catch the band live.
‘Our Tomorrow’ is released on 10th April 2020
Reviewed by : Howard Whitelaw for MPM
Graces Collide are:
Danny Wenham – Vocals & Lead Guitar
Jurgan Hamblin – Bass
Will Hamblin – Guitars
Drums – Currently Vacant
Graces Collide socials:
www.gracescollide.com
www.facebook.com/GracesCollideMusic
www.instagram.com/gracescollide
