We’ve featured Rochester (New York) band Into The Light a few times over the last year – now they’re back with their new self-titled record, Into The Light. It’s clear from the very start that the band have really excelled themselves here, creating six killer rock and roll songs that are suitable for anyone into the genre. Don’t forget to check out the stream at the end of this review!
By Jane Howkins
Kicking things off in wonderful style is opener The Thorns of Life. The main riff that opens the track up is really intense, continuing this theme throughout the rest of the track. It’s really groovy, although there’s still a melodic vibe to the track, underneath the heavy, metallic edge. The chorus will have you singing along in no time, showing some fantastic songwriting skills from Into The Light!
The next track up, Camera Shy, is also the lead single from the EP. It sounds a little mellower than The Thorns Of Life at first, but the huge riffs soon kick in once again, injecting a huge dose of energy into the tune. The little guitar break after the verses leads into the chorus, seeing the band use an immense chord sequence that will hook you in straight away! It’s a worthy single and a must listen from me!
Manuscript sees Into The Light going in a slightly different direction. It’s a real slow burner of a track, seeing a cool bassline pulsate in lovely style against the drums, as some spidery guitar motifs tail off. The subtle nature of the tune allows the vocals to really shine through, showing a band capable of performing different rock sub-genres and styles. The heavy riffs appear occasionally, but it’s nice to hear a different sound from the band.
Next track Call It sees the band going back to their heavier sound, although the riffs and beat are so fast that it also sounds like something that would belong within the punk scene! The fast-paced rhythm is addictive, making you want to tap your feet along straight away, working its way straight into your head. The choruses slow things down a little, with a cool solo tailing the track out into the final chorus.
Bridge is the penultimate track on Into The Light, moving into a groovy, Southern rock area. The down-tuned guitars are at their peak here, showing some mad guitar skills. The riffs turn into a palm-muted lick on the verses, not unlike something you might expect from a metal band, including yet another genre into this awesome band’s sound.
Last, but by no means least, is final track Midyear. Whilst it’s still a heavy rock song, this track is also one of the catchiest things on the entire record – the main chord sequence will get stuck in your head on the very first listen. The vocals croon along in lovely style, matching the musical notes perfectly. This might just be my favourite song on the EP!
Into The Light is a band that are the true masters of their craft, and I predict big things for them in the future! Their own brand of grungy alt-rock sounds near perfect on Into The Light, making it a must listen record for fans of the style.
Social media: Instagram, Linktree, Facebook, Bandcamp