With the last tour of the now defunct metalcore band Zao still fresh in memory it hasn't taken long for On Broken Wings to lay down their claim to fill any such void. Like Zao before them, On Broken Wings have the ability to mesh their fondness for introspective melody with a heady mix of guttural and muddy riffs that are allowed to run riot.

Opening track "I Do My Crosswords in Pen" sets a precedent followed closely throughout the record with throaty deep vocals being a mainstay complimented by the outbreak of more melodic singing with hints of emotion. Whilst this follows the pattern as laid down by Poison The Well and countless bands thereafter, On Broken Wings are a slightly different proposition to the new school hardcore bands of late, opting instead for a darker less digestible sound of deep rumbling bass with guitars licking like flames around it. "Deep Six", perhaps the most daring and satisfying song on the record gains a vicious momentum before breaking into an infectious almost pop punk sounding passage, a combination that works surprisingly well and demonstrates a band unafraid of trying something new and making it sound so seamless. Be it the Smashing Pumpkins feel to the trailing moments of "Tether" or the death metal growls prevalent throughout, the band integrate each element as if any style can be married in such a way. Admittedly the quality of writing does slip slightly during the formulaic and average sounding "Tether", but even this song is able to redeem itself towards the end with an outro that shows a softer side to a predominantly hard hitting band. And it is ultimately when the band slows things down in this manner and allows its introspective side to creep out that they sound their best.

The crackle of an old vinyl record is the sound that the last of these 6 turbulent tracks play out to, fitting, given that On Broken Wings should have a long career ahead of them. This record comes off sounding like a band that have grasped the maturity in song writing that often comes so late in an artists career, yet they have kept the hunger associated with being a new act. And it is the fact that they are a new band that you have to keep shockingly reminding yourself of in light of the bands refined sound.