[rwp-review id=”0″]
Keychain – Break Out EP
Record Label: Zombie Shark Records
Release Date: Out Now
Review By: Dave Griffiths
Move on, metal purists – nu-metal is exploding back on the scene. Yes, I will solemnly declare that I was one of those teens who lapped up Korn and Limp Bizkit in their prime, so when I sat down and listened to Canada’s very own Keychain it felt like I was listening to the best of the 90s with a modern twist… and you know what? It works!
To be honest, as the opening track Primetime blares it feels like Keychain has taken the best bits of bands like Static-X, Linkin Park, Testeagles, Korn and the mighty Bizkit, and mixed it all together to create a new wave sound that captures more melody than any of the aforementioned ever could.
As you continue you journey through Break Out it becomes very clear just how talented these guys are. Breaking Out showcases frontman JP Chapelle’s amazing vocal range, while the haunting guitar opening of Take Back Time shows that these guys clearly aren’t just another flash-in-the-pan band.
Of course you can’t be a nu-metal band without a fair bit of attitude, and that shows with both the lyrics and the epic sounds created with God Mode and Pay Load. The EP closes out with a very strange little acoustic number in Journey. It doesn’t feel out of place but is just a bit of surprise when you consider the confronting force of the rest of the album.
Maybe you’re not a fan of nu-netal, that’s okay… move on. But if you are, then you are going to want to check out Keychain. This is one of the purest forms of nu-metal that we have heard in a while, with just the right mix of rap and screams… in fact, I’m going to say it: this is the kind of music we wish Linkin Park were still doing. Thumbs up to Keychain. It’s no wonder Zombie Shark Records chose to launch with these guys. Amazing sound.
