Authority Zero Stories of Survival
by Joe Mis
Staff Writer
Stories Of Survival is the fourth studio release from Mesa, Ariz. based punk rockers Authority Zero. The band has taken inspiration from both their own experiences as musicians in a relatively non-mainstream genre and the current state of the world around them and managed to create some interesting music. With a sound mix of something like 60 percent Ramones + 20 percent Green Day + 15 percent Metallica and 5 percent reggae, Authority Zero lays down some unique tracks and delivers them with a ton of energy.
Founded way back in1994, Authority Zero continues to deliver music obviously influenced by – but not limited to – the punk rock movement. Their older music can be compared to Bad Religion, Pennywise or Sublime, but as they matured they begin to mix in some elements from reggae, ska and Latin music to create their own almost skate-punk style. Intense rhythms, pounding drums and bass and high-energy vocals characterize the music, and the lyrics continue the punk tradition of social commentary. The music seems more abut the energy than the melody.
Vocalist and founding member Jason DeVore has a good voice for punk – sometimes harsh, sometimes grating, but a;ways intense. At time he sounds vaguely like Metallica’s James Hetfield, particularly during the softer passages. Jim Wilcox and Jeremy Wood make a good team and are capable of unleashing great amounts of energy while at the same time remaining fully in control and adapting fluidly to the changes in style and tempo. Zach Vogel plays a very intense and energetic guitar, nicely complementing the other members of the band. Like many punk anthems, the constant pounding drums and machine gun vocals can wear out the non-punk fans among us.
Borrowing a page from The Iron Maiden Book Of Clichés, they open with a recording of Winston Churchill that leads into their first song, “The New Pollution.” This track is prime example of Authority Zero’s music. Obviously punk, it features aggressive vocals, guitars and drums and is a scathing commentary on the state of the music industry. Devore’s vocals are rapid-fire and intense with lots of edge, and Wilcox’s drums just pound you to death while Vogel’s guitar and Wood’s bass don’t miss a beat. “A Day To Remember” is a little less punk and a touch more straight up rock with a spoken passage and solid gang vocals. “Brick In The Wave” and “Get It Right” are perhaps the catchiest tracks on the album and might be accessible to fans of Green Day and the like. They both feature some solid vocals and hooky riffs without being too intense.
The album changes tone suddenly with the social commentary of “Big Bad World” – for all intents and purposes it is a reggae track with a few rock influences. “Break The Mold” brings back the punk with very intense drum and bass work. “Crashland” has a nice high-energy groove to it and some sparking bass guitar. “Liberateducation” is another mixed punk/reggae track with most of the verses yelled rather than sung, but it does feature a really good guitar solo and manic drums. “Movement” is an amusing track that comes across almost as “Bob Marley meets Metallica.” The band’s Latin influences show clearly throughout the “The Remedy,” and this track features an absolutely blazing guitar solo and very kicky backbeat. The final track “No Way Home” ironically brings the music full circle back to full on punk rock.
All in all, Authority Zero performs a unique style of music. However this particular style will not appeal to everyone. Fans of old school punk will enjoy it, as well as members of the Tony Hawk skate punk generation. Anyone looking for an adrenaline rush, fans of modern reggae or ska, or an X-Gamer looking for some new background music will love it. For the rest of us however, this release may not hold our interest long enough to convert us to punks.
Stories of Survival was released on June 22, 2010.
Genre: Punk Rock
Band:
Jason DeVore (vocals)
Jim Wilcox (drums)
Jeremy Wood (bass)
Zach Vogel (guitars)
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. The New Pollution
3. A Day To Remember
4. Brick In The Wave
5. Get It Right
6. Big Bad World
7. Break The Mold
8. Crashland
9. Liberateducation
10. Movement
11. The Remedy
12. No Way Home
Label: Suburban Noize Records / Viking Funeral Records
Website: http://www.myspace.com/authorityzero
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10