Supergroup Rivals- Sledgefest E.P. Release
Supergroup Rivals entered the Greenville S.C. scene in the last year or so, and it has never seemed like they weren’t having fun. A group that appears to have a close friendship that preceeds their collaboration, the band has quietly, but effectively, tagged themselves into the ring, performing with similar artists and working to dicipher their musical direction. Over the past few months, the band has worked to self-produce their debut offering, “Sledgefest.” The album was recorded at Koolflix Studios in Greenville, and engineered by John Pallerino, alongside Supergroup Rivals guitarist/vocalist Mickey Kriese, who also mixed and mastered the project. Listen to the full album on bandcamp (LINK).
The album as a whole is a quality recording that has a respectable lo-fi sound; a nod to the classic punk and thrash bands that lend the most influence. The bass is a little stronger, and the drums hit a little harder in songs like “Undiagnosed” and “Motions”, which have heavier rock influence. Vocals (vocalists) and style change from song to song, adding interesting contrast between pieces. The vocal performances definitely fit the songs, and aren’t out of place or unpleasant, though they don’t seem to focus on a well-polished delivery. This is stylistic, and cultivates a sound, rather than detracting from the quality.
Songs like “Cougar” and “Dance With Me” are prime examples of classic, thrashing, lo-fi punk, although they bend a little, perhaps through a pop-punk filter- notably in the guitar riff of “Cougar,” and the group vocals in both songs. These two songs are primarily vocal performances by Zach Guttery, with immediately identifiable, though often unintelligible, rantings in classic punk-yell fashion, with an aggressive and sharp presence.
In contrast, performances in “Undiagnosed” and “Motions” are harder, sludgier songs with deeper and fuller guitars, more powerful drumming, and the more gruff sounding vocals of Kriese. These songs are much more reminiscent of the 90’s alternative rock era, though the punk-style heartbeat still carries these tracks, with Chris Laroque’s drumming and David Walker’s bass performance as a unifying feature throughout the album.
Track number five, “Run,” finds itself as an interesting spearhead of the album. It genuinely seems to be a balance of the previous four songs, with a much heavier presentation of the guitar and drums, and the use of Kriese’s vocals, combined with the feature of the second guitar in another largely pop-punk style riff contrasting the heavy chords of guitar one, and also in the consistant emphasis of the downbeat in the rhythm, straight out of pop, thrash, and other punk styles.
“Rubella”, the final track, is a cover of the Smoking Popes. This is likely the darkest track of the album, with hard hitting drums and deep brooding guitar and bass. The group vocal performance features prominent reverb and distortion swirling around the lead vocal, unabashedly screaming into the “abyss” in a style that could generate comparison to Me Without You, or even A.F.I. in places.
Supergroup Rivals will assemble on January 11th at the Radio Room in Greenville S.C. to reveal the project in a live performance. In addition to the performance, they will also be airing a short documentary filmed during the making of the album, entitled, “Supergroup Rivals: An Underdog Story (Kind of).” This film was created by Joshua Jones of Koolflix Studios, alongside the band. Additional performances will be had by III Kings, The Accuser, and Evan’s Dilemma. Supergroup Rivals will also perform at Ground Zero in Spartanburg S.C. on January 18, with III Kings and 72nd and Central.
What: Supergroup Rivals E.P. Release – (FB Event)
Where: The Radio Room, Greenville S.C.
When: Friday, January 11th, 2019
Time: Doors at 8:00pm, Show at 9:00pm
Ages: 18+
