Dare to Fail EP Review

I missed out on Static Era’s gig here in Palmerston North, and now that I’ve come across a copy of their sophomore EP, Dare to Fail, I feel like I missed more than just a night out on the town.

Although town lacks the facilities to produce a flashy light show as impressive as the one in the band’s Fire Away video, Static Era have a massive stage presence and danceable sound to get the crowd going.

Despite the differing influences between the members Static Era’s sound is like an easily accessable, stripped-back Nightwish. The band have used the allusion of Evanescence to describe themselves to the uninitiated, but I don’t feel that allusion is accurate. Static Era may have started as Emma G and a back up band, but on Dare to Fail there sound is that of cohesive band working as a unit, not an Amy Lee driven and oriented vehicle for the success of Amy Lee.

Though only five tracks, the Dare to Fail EP serves as an indication of Static Era’s direction, and a taster to fill the gap until they release a debut full length album. They’ve obviously chosen their best songs, because each of those five tracks have the potential to be a radio friendly single. No waffling introspection, no boring bits. Just hard, fast rock.

Probably not the band to listen to if you’re a fan of Justin Bieber. Unlike Justin Bieber, Emma G is a positive role model for not being a wuss, and the boys behind her trace their roots to some of the cornerstones of early 2000’s Alt-Rock.

You can find Static Era’s Dare to Fail as well as last years the Start on the band’s Soundcloud. They should keep you going until the band’s next release.