The temptation at first was to write Harpies off as Kittie wannabes, but this is no token-girl nu-metal band, nor one relying on image. Harpies belong in the same category as Defenestration or Raging Speedhorn, veering from screamo to quieter moments that, like the eye of the storm, only serve to heighten the extremity of the heavier bits. While they’ve slimmed to a four-piece since 2004’s debut album Bleed, Believe, with the departure of one vocalist (Laura Westwood), such is Nicky Honey’s range – from singing to full-on aural assault – you wouldn’t notice.

‘Waitless’, is the first taster of a still in-progress second album, and the radio edit provided by former Gary Numan/Tricky collaborator Rico shows the band at close to their best – mostly rather restrained, merely hinting at the menace only unleashed in occasional bursts.

B-side ‘Stay Down’ is even calmer, while in contrast the original version of the title-track is slightly less focussed, but so fierce one wouldn’t dare criticise, showing the band haven’t mellowed at all. In fact, the only criticism of album two could be that it’s more of the same – which is hardly a bad thing, but I’d welcome more work with Rico (provided it doesn’t hold up his own follow up to Violent Silences, of course).

(4/5)

Release Date: 06 February 2006

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