Dirtbox

Reviewed: "Demo 2007" CD

Emo infused Scottish punk metal!

Talk about judging a book by its cover - based on the band name, the press gunk and the adoption of the Dickies logo, I was expecting a full on '77-style punk band here - and how wrong I was! Or maybe it was the Scottish postal address that just made me automatically think of The Exploited, I'm not sure. Anyway, on to the review...

Dirtbox have a very modern, fresh sound about them, fusing that metal / punk sound that comes across like Motorhead playing Sum 41 songs with an undeniably emotional (sorry, I cant bring myself to say 'emo' again) edge to it, almost like a non-suicidal AFI.

The songs are crammed with pop punk power chords overlayed with plinky plonky fretting bits that charge along with an energy and passion that, whilst it occasionally slows down for those compulsory crooning bits, batters the listener with a raw urgency and power that's its hard not to get swept along with.

On the downside, I cant help but feel that the modern / emotional side of Dirtbox's sound might detract some of the mohawk wielding purists, but if that is the case then that's their problem - you cant please everyone all of the time!

Overall, whatever your opinion on the modern state of music, Dirtbox are one hell of a band with some kick ass songs, and one thing is for certain - the kids will love Dirtbox!

* Note: Apologies to the guitarist that we had to chop out of the pic above - our web guy is a grumpy old get who just wouldn't redesign the size of our template to include you....

Reviewed by SD