I have seen Take Hold’s name pop in up various social media circles, posters and events but had not had a chance to check them out. Their debut five song EP Disrepair had me instantly hooked from the first listen, reminding me of past and present melodic hardcore bands from the 00's to the 10's and more recently. This particular sub-genre has always had a really positive upbeat feel for me. While it's vocally aggressive and fast with punchy riffs, the chords and melodic lines pack so many good vibes it's hard not to have the feels.

The first track Patience begins with an opening clean riff, then kicks in half time groove with a light lead over the top, lead vocalist Jai Aronsen's harsh vocals in full swing, reminiscent of Canadian hardcore band Counterparts vocalist Brandon Murphy. You can hear the Counterparts influence throughout the record, but I also hear nods to earlier hardcore and metalcore legends like Poison the Well and Norma Jean, just in terms of certain structures and how the songs piece together. Like a lot of these more progressive core bands, the songs aren’t so much verse-chorus repeat but a series of sections that build and grow, moving between frantic intensity and then melodic atmospheric parts.

The second track Bloom wastes no time, coming in full throttle, fast punk hardcore beats with discordant guitars, reminding me of early Hundreth. The drums are manic, and the vocals are passionately violent while the lead guitar holds down and carries the melodies throughout. The offbeat guitar and tone stand out and the song stops with small breaths of lighter ambient moments. The final passage we are serenaded with the lead guitar ascending above and ending with melodic chords playing out with Jai’s screams fading in the background. The guitar duo of Josh Krisansen and Tomas Newbury provide much of the songs creative drive, providing a mix of distorted discorded notes and chords, symphonic lead lines and heavy punch hardcore riffage.

The third track Scatter has an initial groove feel with a slight metal core tinge then gains momentum quick fast. Much of the songs escalate and come back down to half time then accelerate again, keeping you on your listening toes. While Overboard had a slight progressive feel with more off beat sections, drummer Levi Wenzlick is consistently solid, I like the small flourishes of double kick and tom fills throughout with bassist Thomas Butler holding down the low end underneath some of manic chaos. The final track Diminish is another out the gate, super-fast track, a little Ghost Inside with the sweet floor tom impact. The riffs are aggressive and the break down is massive but still carries the discorded melody.

The band recorded this EP independently whilst it was mixed and mastered by Jay Maas, the man behind the likes of Counterparts and Bane. Take Hold have certainly packed this EP full, it’s a short journey but it's gonna take people all over the place. These guys know what they are doing and how to do it, wearing their influences on their sleeves. I was incredibly impressed with the composition; the passion and intensity and I cannot wait to see them do it live!

Again, I'll keep saying it, NZ metal, rock, hardcore and all its various sub genres are world class and we have some of the best bands in the world. Go listen to them and support them at theirs shows and buy their merch! EP is out now!

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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