Reviews

With the first song on this album, "Welcome Fuckers," the Banner make their triumphant return with a powerfully bluesy type song leading into the blinding intensity of "The Wolf," which shows that they definitely mean business. With the unending speed, or sometimes lack thereof as well as the ferocity of vocalist Joey Southside, songs like "Leechbath" blow out the speakers and definitely leave an impression.

The problem is that it seems like they're fucking with the audience; one song will be slow and a little grungy while the next song will be blisteringly punk. It's hard to figure out where this band wants everything to go. That's the aggravation of this album; just when expect one thing, they decide to screw with you and do something else.

Frailty has potential but it all just ends up sounding the same with not much available to distinguish each song. If The Banner was able to figure out just what it is they want the music to sound like, then they'll be able to make a full, cohesive album that won't leave the listener so baffled and disappointed.

Overall, the band is okay, they just sound like so many other bands out there that it's hard to care when you've heard it all before. The only thing that really stands out is the quiet intro to "Dusk" which actually is enough to hold the listener's attention until it just degenerates into another slamming piece of hardcore. The fact that the band decided to try something different is a relief on this record but it doesn't make the record any better.

While The Banner are fresh, they're just not that exciting, so if you're into deafening hardcore/punk, then this is the album for you. If not, have fun looking around.