Versus Robots and The ‘1UP’ EP.
Versus Robots – Bracknell, England, United Kingdom.
Previously known as Vs. Robots, Versus Robots are a three-piece Alternative Rock band from Bracknell truly embodying the term”alternative” in the genre moniker. Genre buffs may think I am referring to the Punk-Rock foundation of the genres past and that definitely is a notable part of the Versus Robots repertoire but they really do employ so much more.
1UP is the band’s second effort to tide us over until the full-length record set for 2019 and what a four-track it is. Take the playful gloom of 80’s Post-Punk, add the more abrasive heavy onset gloom of the Grunge 90’s and perhaps the abstract weirdness of Tool and A Perfect Circle and a slither of Post-Hardcore and you have a rough idea of what to expect. ‘Bombz’ very much captures the above complicated nutshell in a nutshell. Funny that.
‘Bombz’ breaks you with a heaviness somehow both subtle and obvious simultaneously while ‘Newborns’ teases you with layered Pop-melodies and Emo-esque vocal harmonies as it briefly cathartically releases the band’s barely-restrained heaviness rhythmically and increasingly. By the song’s midpoint the band have forgone the progressively toned Pop for melodic cumbersome Alternative Rock and that’s that for ‘Newborns’.
‘No Inspiration’ is very much one for the A Perfect Circle fans, from the crooning vocals to the use of eerie yet inviting synths and warped electronic tones. The opening verse is not only intriguing lyrically but the Joy Division/A Perfect Circle vocal cross is nothing but a giant hook also having you line and sinker. The track is a groove laden progressive Post-Punk/Pop-Rock song in the verses and strange early-2000’s Alternative Metal/Post-Hardcore crossover in the chorus towards the latter part of the song. In short, Versus Robots become increasingly interesting as this EP progresses and it’s addictive.
The electronic elements it is fair to say feel a lot more dominant in the latter half of the release. That’s not to say the guitar-led heaviness is absent for it isn’t but it is very much following a different path. ‘Warning To The Affluent’ however seems to find that balance between the two bed-fellows of the band’s sound.
‘Warning To The Affluent’ is very much it’s socio-politcal namesake but it is also perhaps the best track on the release. Strong Alternative Rock guitars and well executed Emo and Post-Hardcore-esque vocal interplay reinforced by the hearty screams from through the release makes ‘Warning […]’ all the more attractive. Notably within this, the band’s first real inclusion of a guitar solo on 1UP is an absolute highlight and really does solidify the final number as the real player one of the release.
Find Them:
- Social Media/Updates: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Official Website.
- Music: bandcamp, Spotify, Google Play, iTunes/Apple Music.
- The bands first EP, ‘Wake Up Apathetic‘ can be found under the name ‘Vs. Robots’.
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