Stylus - Stylus @ The Break, Palmerston North - Thu 20 July 06
30 Jul 2006 // A review by Shade
It was a cold and wet night - typical of any other winter night in Palmerston North - but tonight was anything but typical.
Stylus was about to take to the stage in true rock fashion to celebrate the release of their latest album
Gain Control, and they were going to set this night apart from every other winter's night.
You cannot truly experience a band's sound until you have heard them live, and
Stylus is no exception to this.
Stylus is the one NZ band that you
have to see perform live. Listening to their CDs will not show you what they are fully capable of - their live performance proves they can rock it just as hard as some of the larger international acts out there.
Stylus well and truly fit into the rock genre while still remaining uniquely New Zealand, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are going to go far with their music.
With astounding vocals that know exactly how to grab your attention, bass that makes the whole building vibrate and hard-hitting, energetic beats that leave you wanting more, it was evident straight away why Stylus have developed such a huge following. Not only could you tell how much effort had gone into their set, but each member of Stylus worked well with the next and their performance was both unpredictable and balanced.
After seeing
Stylus perform live I'm sure their new album
Gain Control will be on everyone's winter shopping lists. There were so many awesome songs on the night it's too difficult to choose a favourite, but
I Was Alone Until Tonight and
Eye Can See You would definitely have to be at the top of my favourites list.
About Stylus
Stylus' last album Gain Control was released June 10, 2006 on Wildside Records. With 17 tracks of catchy melodies, low-riding grooves and crunching guitars; this album is why your stereo comes with a repeat function!
LAYING THE TRACKS
Gain Control was recorded in Auckland over 2005 and early 2006 at The Lab Studios and York St Studio, Auckland. It was mastered at Sydney’s 301 Studio in May 2006 with legendary mastering engineer Don Bartley. Gain Control was produced, engineered and mixed by award winning band members Paul Matthews (bass) and Dave Rhodes (drums) who have worked with many New Zealand artists including Blindspott, OpShop, Foamy Ed, Redline, Crumb and Tadpole.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Stylus