Self Titled Debut EP

I had a feeling I would like this CD, even before I put it in the machine and I was not disappointed. There’s something very impressive about the self-titled release by the Leeches with its hardcore, raw quality that will knock your socks off.

At times the Leeches use slower melodic dynamics to great effect but mainly the music revolves around an unrelenting punk rock style that smashes it and is bound to get the mosh pit slamming. The Leeches effectively add to a tried and true format with dissonant surfer punk rock moments that create depth and tension. Their technique is similar to early Californian bands like Rocket From the Crypt and Agent Orange. There’s nothing typical about this release though, with only slight touches of Americanism to what is a brutally awesome New Zealand debut EP. The song Payback’s a Bitch is my favourite with the guitar arrangements in Never Forget and Already Dead particularly effective. All five-tracks are equally great and likely to find some converts to the genre.

You might expect a somewhat commercialised product considering the band members former success in the Bleeders, Antagonist A.D, Brick vs Face and Goodnight Nurse. However this is not what the music focuses on, even though they draw on all the best elements from the bands they previously represented. These young fellas exhibit an excellent example of what punk rock music is all about; couple this with great production and packaging and you’ve got yourself a winner. With a comprehensive display of musical ability and cohesive arrangements underscored with a fuck the establishment attitude, this CD is a must have for any punk rock afficionado.

Leeches debut is a short but sweet EP well within the realms of best punk releases worldwide.