An emerging trio of Northern Irish rockers from the sprawling city of Belfast, Alpha Twin are a band who consistently aim to write, produce and record music that speaks volumes in a literal and metaphorical sense. Having taken influence from iconic rock and metal bands like Queens Of The Stone Age and Rage Against The Machine, while mixing it with their own style and processes, the result is an explosive slice of alternative rock designed to raise the roof and get the crowd moving. With their new EP – ‘Symbolism’ – due for release on 21st October, the time has come to question whether Alpha Twin are primed to create their own future in the music industry and carve out a place where they fully belong, by showcasing their versatility and charm.
The first single to be released from the EP was ‘Gaze’, which is also the opening track of the EP. Setting up the stage perfectly for the remainder of cuts to follow, ‘Gaze’ is an energetic rock ballad about a toxic relationship where the lyrics feel devilishly erotic and the guitar riffs feel sharp and it represents a decent marriage between Royal Blood and Architects for fans of those two bands. ‘The Way I’m Feeling’ follows it up, and the catchy riffs unleash their fangs on you again as a steady drumbeat underlines the dramatic lyrics and showcases the group’s versatility.
The following two tracks – ‘Hypnotise’ and ‘Blood Like Honey’ – continue to start as the band mean to go on by blending classic metal sensibilities with melodic pop hooks. However, the songwriting feels more nuanced as the band veer towards the subject matter of mental health and not the glamour of living like a celebrity. A band with more to say than simply delivering a top 40 radio chart hit, Alpha Twin begin to show their spots as a band who are based on relating to the realities that audiences live and, in turn, they set themselves apart from the hundreds of rock bands who are simply seeking a breakthrough moment of fame in today’s world of consumerism.
Finishing off the five-track short form project is ‘Live Your Life’, the latest single to be released from the EP prior to the final release date. It represents a moment of serious reflection and lyrical complexity for the band because it was written after a close friend took their own life, and the band perfectly connotes the right emotions for the track to make an impact. It follows a deeply saddening event where a band member’s brother (the vocalist and guitarist Tom) lost his brother due to similar circumstances. Finding cause for resilience and renewal is the core of ‘Live Your Life’, a track that raises awareness for men’s mental health issues in both a refreshing and realistic way. It also continues to show the high points of the band’s abilities by prioritising profound songwriting above chugging beers and headbanging in mosh pits. There is a pop song level of accessibility here, but the ascending guitar melodies are not too harsh or abrasive and it allows the lyrical content to explore its boundaries clearly without diluting its own subject matter.
Overall, Alpha Twin’s ‘Symbolism’ EP is a solid little release that allows the band to stand out for their lean and to-the-point approach to songwriting while crafting infectious melodies in which their influences are known for. The tracks begin to feel a little too familiar in some places towards the end, but the band deliver a real message with their music. With the EP release of ‘Symbolism’ set for 21st October, and the band having set their sights on realising that the world is a place for living and not surviving, there is plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the band.
Words by Jacob Braybrooke
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