#315: HANZO - HANZO

2016
Indie Rock, Garage Rock
Self Released

Hanzo are a 3 piece band from Rugby, England who have self released their debut self titled EP. The unsigned trio are continuing to build up a following by playing live all over the UK. The EP opens with "Doll Face" and instantly hits you with a swaggering Rock riff. Vocalist and guitarist Pete delivers more of a high pitched vocal on this track. The song is very catchy, lead by a simplistic riff. The "Hush little darlin'" verses will easily get stuck in your head and have you humming along. "Sweet Tooth" impresses me much more though as Pete switches to a deeper Elvis style vocal. This track sounds very modern but has a Rock N Roll vibe to it, with reverb drenched guitar adding a Surf Rock twang. The energy on this track is high, with a scattering of tremolo guitar in the middle breakdown. The song climaxes with some powerful riffs reminiscent of Royal Blood before the Surf Rock vibes make a reprise. Definitely the standout track out of the three. "Yellow Bones" exists somewhere inbetween the vibes of the first two tracks and adds a keyboard melody into the mix. This brief EP is a decent start and is very well recorded. Hanzo may still be finding their sound and are trying out different styles, but I think it is the Surf Rock of "Sweet Tooth" that may suit them best. I would definitely catch Hanzo live if I saw them on a bill, because I think they would be able to get a crowd rocking out. 6/10.