Keeping Scores – Demo

By paul

I’ve read a lot about Keeping Scores as several members are forum regulars, yet the first time I heard this demo was the first time I;d heard any recorded output. Comments on the forums meant expectations were high, more so when I saw some very, very positive comments in Big Cheese (cynic in me thought it may have been a very good friend writing some very nice words about more very good friends but hey…). To a point those words are deserved as Keeping Scores promise a hell of a lot. If you take the separate parts individually the band show a hell of a lot – Ash Ward’s vocals are fantastic; aggressive, passionate and roaring. The band have a very similar vocal sound to early Rise Against and Strike Anywhere and that’s certainly a very good thing.

The problem lies in the fact that the songs on this demo are simply rehashes of songs from said bands. ‘Chugger Khan’ in particular, while a good song, has a very, very familiar Strike Anywhere sounding guitar riff and there are a few lyrics which are very close to the bone – there’s a song on SA’s ‘Exit English’, the name of which escapes me right now, which sounds almost identical in places. Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, but it’s all too familiar sounding for me. Which is a great shame as the band do their thing very well. For a demo the songs are well crafted, uplifting and positive. If they can carve their own niche, rather than borrowing from others, we’ll start to see the benefits.

This band could be really, really good when they stop re-hashing the riffs of their influences. Ones to watch – but they could quickly become a very good band indeed.

Three more album reviews for you

Fortune Teller – ‘PREMONITIONS’

While She Sleeps - 'SELF HELL'

USA Nails – ‘FEEL WORSE’