It’s just over a year since Durham-based rockers ‘Twister’ truly announced their arrival upon the circuit of emerging rock outfits.
A scintillating set saw the quartet deservedly claim both the plaudits and the prize of a record deal at Highway to Hell.
Seizing their opportunity Twister have delivered the magnificent ‘Cursed and Corrected’ – their debut on the Off Yer Rocka label, the record arm of event organisers HRH – chock-full of tunes that soar effortlessly whilst radiating a solar-sized incandescent warmth.
Instrumental ‘We Are The Cursed & Corrected’ eases into the main body with low, resonating keys that threaten to break into ‘Echo Beach’ before a cathedral organ ascends into action accompanied by a hypnotic, tribal beat from bang-on-the-money skinsman Jack Corbett.
This heralds the arrival of some sweet six-string vibes from slick-as-you-like lead guitarist Jake Grimes; before neatly slipping into the latest single ‘Save Us Yourself’.
There’s a scintillating undercurrent, a touch of Lizzy here. A gloriously catchy hook from Grimes coupled with the omnipotent vocals of frontman Stevie Stoker layered upon the immovable rhythm bedrock delivered by Corbett and unshakeable bassist Ryan Lee.
A formula that Twister exploit to it’s fullest throughout this offering; presenting the end result from several perspectives.
The anthemic ‘Young & Affected’; a staple of the Twister live experience, takes proceedings upwards with it’s rallying call chorus and infectious cadence.
This track could quite easily live on the early Jovi releases; it’s infectious with a R-number off the scale. Stoker’s vocal talents give ‘Natural Survivor’ a haunting edge before Grimes weighs in with a superb solo; another catchy one that will be in your head before you know it! This feelgood factor is ramped skywards in a summery fashion with the gloriously lustrous ‘Trees’.
Buffeting riffs and beats interlaced with a massed chorus and wonderful harmonies; let ‘those birds fly as high as they see’ gents; guaranteed to brighten even the darkest of winter’s days.
‘Wild & Lonely (Fingers Crossed)’ is another melodic rocker that is surefire to get under your skin in the most pleasant way possible. At stages it sits happily alongside Jovi’s ‘Runaway’ but then throws in a more indie rock feeling redolent of The Killers to produce its own identity.
Corbett’s tumbling skin-pounding leads into some delightful licks from Grimes to intro ‘Trading Hearts’; a vibrant track that knowingly tips head apparel towards classic melodic rock with a crystal-clear clarity and an addictive angle.
Call To Arms’, the first single, served a translucent notice of that to come. Undeniably Twister with trademark vocals, riffs and rhythms as the band advocate ‘Seize the day and overcome’. Highly appropriate all things considered.
A softer, gentler collective perspective is demonstrated by the emotionally-charged ‘Mystery’; a sensitive ballad that provides a balancing effect to the high-energy delivery thus given.
Feeding Frenzy’ elevates the dynamism as the band, collectively, shift upwards through the gears; a sing-a-long chorus and contagious riffs that I defy to get out of your conscious thoughts!
There is an underlying element of Marillion to the opening moments of ‘Monroe’ before swerving away with a Stereophonic style that takes off into a towering chorus with all aboard.
The penultimate track ‘Fist Fight By The Waterside’ takes no prisoners from the very offset. Its punchy riffs and rhythms punctuate the raw vocals like a sparring pugilist before rolling into ’64 White Lies’, the album closer.
It’s the perfect track to perform this role as it summarises all that Twister is about; intricate, layered melodic rock with anthemic choruses laced with emotion and energy in equally lofty levels.
Scurrying through darkened alleyways before bursting out on to the highway; Twister have created, in a parallel of Those Damn Crows, a sound that is their very own.
Twister have come and conquered; defining the savage beast in the process.
Keep up to date on everything Twister at: http://smarturl.it/Twisteruk Facebook: www.facebook.com/TwisterUK Twitter: @wearetwister Instagram: @OfficialTwister Website: www.officialtwister.co.uk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TeamTwister #TeamTwister
Review by Gary Spiller for MPM
