Guards of May: Future Eyes

Alternative rock really is a broad genre. If you’re not too fussy with your definition — and I don’t think too many people are — it covers a huge range of artists; you can theoretically lump in everyone from Birds of Tokyo to grungier stuff like Stone Temple Pilots. Because of that wide range, it can prove to be quite difficult to nail down what fits in alt rock or not. Chances are, if it fits in alt rock, it probably has its own genre somewhere. When it comes to artists like Guards of May, however, I can’t help but feel that the genre is a perfect fit.
With a sound similar to that of WA powerhouses Karnivool, Future Eyes is an excellent debut effort; it’s atmospheric, powerful and bloody good music. The guitars blend well, too; a heavy, overdriven chug meets effect-heavy melodies to great effect. The bass can be especially prominent at times, and adds a lot to the album’s overall sound; it complements the rhythm sections perfectly, and provides a solid backdrop for vocalist Richo Harvey’s ethereal vocals.
Their overall style is really quite similar to early Karnivool, albeit with more of a rock focus than falling into pseudo-metal territory. Guards of May have taken the best parts of hardcore and alt rock influences and crafted them into a really solid debut. All comparisons to other artists aside, Future Eyes is a really great album, and I’m expecting big things from this band.
Out Via Independent
Reviewed by Alastair McGibbon