Time In Malta
Alone with the alone
(Equal Vision Records)

An idiot’s guide to Boy Sets Fire is a simple, crude, yet accurate summation of this sneering half hardcore, half metal punk quartet fronted by Todd Gullion. However, this description cannot hide the fact that this album still displays cutting cogency and sincere anger. This is borne out in the tense track; ‘Event Horizon’, featuring creeping and chilling riffs and pummeling percussion that jab home the defiant and forceful lyrics;

“We ask; How long will it take until we surrender
and don’t ask why? Yesterday falls victim to now.”

The messages that they convey do not contain the depth of a Boy Sets Fire, but the anger and honesty is still there in abundance, in common with former tour mates The International Noise Conspiracy. The hardcore punk genre is gathering a little more depth at the moment and with tracks like ‘Forty Seven’ that have the typical creeping instrumental intro, prior to the frenetic instrumentals incorporating a cutting bass line, as well as in your face anger ridden vocals; time in Malta can proudly call themselves hardcore. This San Francisco born outfit is no doubt a welcome addition to the punk scene, possessing views and riffs that are tighter than Alcatraz used to be.

http://www.timeinmalta.com

David Adair