Cougar Microbes

Impact Karma are a young band out of Los Angeles. Despite the band still being unsigned the tracks they submitted are exceptionally produced and recorded and it is immediately clear /that the four members are extremely accomplished musicians.

Guitarist  Min weaves melodies not too dissimilar to those found on Audio Karate‘s amazing ‘Lady Melody‘ album (and that is a very good thing). The singing comes through loud and clear shows a competent edge. The bass parts boom throughout while Drummer Lior gives a mammoth back drop to proceedings.

If some criticism has to be levelled I should say certain vocal and guitar melodies are a little too obvious in some passages. For the moment the bands influences can easily be deciphered and listed out but having only been together for a short time I am sure they will find their niche.

It is always a matter of personal taste when it comes to individual bands but in my eyes if the band can be a bit more Taking Back Sunday, As Friends Rust, Coheed & Cambria and the aforementioned Audio Karate and a little less Hoobastank and Papa Roach they will do very well for themselves.

Emulating Jimmy Eat World, who self-funded their album ‘Bleed American’ in 2001 before licensing the release to DreamWorks records, Wolf Am I wrote and recorded debut LP ‘Lead The Way’ earlier this year then promptly set about finding a label to promote it. That label was Alcopop! Records, who boast an impressive back catalogue including a 2006 release by Cougar favourites Encyclopedia, waiting in the wings.

The resulting album is both confident and proficient and flows from groove heavy verses to anthemic choruses. First single ‘Glasgow 7‘ comes complete with big harmonies, chorus-heavy nicely toned guitar, dirty power chords and driving bass conjuring up similarities to big acts like Thursday and Taking Back Sunday. The Berkshire boys can hold their own in this company.

Unfortunately, resulting from the influx of Drive-thru Records bands in the early to mid noughtees, it remains to be seen whether there is still a UK market for uber-polished-American-infused-emo-college-rock. Only time will tell.

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Guest post by Kenny the aggravator

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TRACK:

Wolf Am I – Lex Talionis