Rocker (feedbot)
Gold Member
After twenty six years making rocket-fuelled hybrid punk, you’d think Zebrahead would start slowing down. They could have recorded a folky tribute album a la Dropkick Murphys or announced a never ending retirement farewell odyssey like Fat Mike and co. That’s not quite the So-Cal punks’ style though: why not make an EP that’s even harder and faster than the rest of their back catalogue? Emerging via a song drop a month in the buildup to ‘I’s release, this EP is a solid reminder that Zebrahead deserve more attention than they’ve received so far.
“You’re feeling broken, everyone knows it,” shouts vocalist Adrian Estrella to open first single ‘Sink Like A Stone’, an anthem for those left behind that slams and reassures in equal measure. Writing a set of songs on the theme of feeling like an outsider must be a requirement at this point for any self-respecting punk band, but Zebrahead’s decision to avoid teenage cliches is a smart one. Their dark and gutsy take on the trope works for them, elevating songs like ‘Pulling Teeth’ above the average shout along rant. The frontman says that “‘Pulling Teeth’ is like a punch in the face of energy and anger when you’re at your wit’s end, reminding you that nothing’s that bad,” and he has a point; the righteous energy of the track is targeted with laser-sharp, bass-heavy precision. It’s got ‘early afternoon pit that slaps far harder than it should’ written all over it.
However, what also makes this a corker of an EP is the bombastic messages about what’s really important in life. “We’re not alone, we’re with our friends,” Estrella shouts on ‘I Have Mixed Drinks About Feelings’, the video for which will bring back fond memories for anyone who saw them at Download this year. Zebrahead have always been good at pithy, memorable taglines, and friendship has been on their mind throughout their career, so in one sense, this EP is following the same black-and-white-striped flight plan as a lot of their recent material. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though – there’s a boldness in their statements which is a hallmark of their punk-meets-metal sound, and it’s a fun continuation of one of their thematic threads.
There’s plenty of fuel left in Zebrahead’s tank, and enough of a noughties rap metal feel to satisfy Limp Bizkit fans who desire a touch more substance than Durst and co can readily provide. ‘I’ is the EP that will give you an opportunity to check out Zebrahead in more detail, just in time for you to say you were already a fan before they skyrocket up next year’s festival lineups.
KATE ALLVEY
“You’re feeling broken, everyone knows it,” shouts vocalist Adrian Estrella to open first single ‘Sink Like A Stone’, an anthem for those left behind that slams and reassures in equal measure. Writing a set of songs on the theme of feeling like an outsider must be a requirement at this point for any self-respecting punk band, but Zebrahead’s decision to avoid teenage cliches is a smart one. Their dark and gutsy take on the trope works for them, elevating songs like ‘Pulling Teeth’ above the average shout along rant. The frontman says that “‘Pulling Teeth’ is like a punch in the face of energy and anger when you’re at your wit’s end, reminding you that nothing’s that bad,” and he has a point; the righteous energy of the track is targeted with laser-sharp, bass-heavy precision. It’s got ‘early afternoon pit that slaps far harder than it should’ written all over it.
However, what also makes this a corker of an EP is the bombastic messages about what’s really important in life. “We’re not alone, we’re with our friends,” Estrella shouts on ‘I Have Mixed Drinks About Feelings’, the video for which will bring back fond memories for anyone who saw them at Download this year. Zebrahead have always been good at pithy, memorable taglines, and friendship has been on their mind throughout their career, so in one sense, this EP is following the same black-and-white-striped flight plan as a lot of their recent material. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though – there’s a boldness in their statements which is a hallmark of their punk-meets-metal sound, and it’s a fun continuation of one of their thematic threads.
There’s plenty of fuel left in Zebrahead’s tank, and enough of a noughties rap metal feel to satisfy Limp Bizkit fans who desire a touch more substance than Durst and co can readily provide. ‘I’ is the EP that will give you an opportunity to check out Zebrahead in more detail, just in time for you to say you were already a fan before they skyrocket up next year’s festival lineups.
KATE ALLVEY