Band : My City Burning
Album title : White Lies / Black Eyes
Label : (none)
Distributor : (none)
Release date : 2008
Release : (6-track) CD

This Amsterdam based Oldschool Hardcore quartet was founded in the Spring of 2006 with a line-up comprising lead singer Igor, guitarist/ backing singer Ramon, and drummer Maarten…with an additional bassist (whom has since been replaced). Although not a socio-political active band per-say, MCB dó speak out against all war and terror in which innocent civilians are victimized for relatively low gains (claiming it “is this that makes the most thickheaded mammals alive which eventually will indisputably lead to their own extinction…”), and the band took its name from the then very happening and disastrous war in Lebanon where Hezbollah and the Israeli were killing innocent bystanders on a daily basis, destroying their possessions in the process, leaving the survivors in desperate situations, from which more hate sprouts…and the cycle of violence continues!

In their relatively short life span, the band has already released a 6-track demo-EP (this one now being reviewed) in early 2008 (which has not only gained the band some excellent reviews to date), and also managed to play shows all over Europe in support of such highly appreciated acts in the scene as Holland’s own Backfire! and No Turning Back, Britain’s Burning Skies and Devil Sold His Soul, Germany’s Caliban, but also US’ Death Before Dishonor, Poison The Well, Hatebreed, Pro-Pain, Coliseum, and Integrity. Last year, MCB was hand-picked by the legendary Raging Speedbull (UK) to accompany them on their final European tour, and earlier this very year they were invited by Robb Flynn himself to open their June show at Amsterdam’s Melkweg. Another accomplishment by the band was to gain endorsement deals by both Ibanez and Peavey, earned in the first place thanks to their work ethics!

MCB describes their music quite appropriately by stating you’re to “…expect a mix of oldschool Haardcore and Thrash Metal with some catchy melodies, something along the lines of Terror, Sick Of It All, and Walls Of Jericho…” Indeed, the band’s 6 tunes on this EP (total audio time just over 17 minutes) all have an immediate little something in the melody lines which will grab the listener’s attention, and the icing on the cake comes with the somewhat emotional (no Emo stuff here though) screamed/ shouted vocals! Check it all out at myspace.com/mycityburning, where the band posted àll of the 6 tracks on the EP for your pleasure (and their own well-succeeded promotional needs, I’m sure). In one of the blogs, you’ll also be able to find the lyrics to the EP’s tracks, and news that the band started pre-production for an upcoming full-length album (label as yet undisclosed) in late September, with recordings foreseen to happen in November. Curious as to what those sessions will bring us!

Meanwhile, all we’re left to do is to rate this EP. And while I find this a very great Hardcore release indeed, I won’t go as far as to put it into my year-lists retro-actively!

90/100

Tony.