Serpico - EP

This is an impressively put-together EP from ambitious Scots heid-bangers Serpico; a band with enough promise to acquire the production abilities of Rhys Fulber (Machine Head, Paradise Lost) to record them. As a result the sound is a polished, raucous sheen of distortion and melodic vocals. '400 Blows to the Head' stomps around the start and 'Alkaline Nights' is an MTV-friendly rocker with requisite drink-related lyrics. The accomplished changes of dynamics and subtle synth layering are effective, but they go into overkill during slow effort 'Glasseye', where the quiet-loud trope sails a little too close to Nickleback for comfort. 'Kultura' redeems them; the shackles are removed and Serpico bring the mosh. It's a pacy, rhythmic thrash-out with intelligent syncopations evocative of the Foos or QOTSA. Definitely enough here to merit checking them out live. [Jamie Borthwick]