The first time I heard Anchor Lane was in a live setting and I was immediately hooked. Their professionalism and the quality of their performance coupled with their modern hard rock sound had the crowd in the palm of their hand. It reminded me of the first time I saw Mason Hill.
So to have two similar bands in Glasgow almost makes us a little spoiled. Anchor Lane’s new EP, New Beginning, sees them intent on making their mark on the world. Even the name of the EP itself is a mission statement. Despite their youth, the EP presents a band who are comfortable playing together, as if having done so for years.
With massive riffs underpinned by equally massive grooves, it’s a sound so many bands are trying to perfect with very few of them finding the essence of it. Thankfully, Anchor Lane are members of the exclusive club who have discovered the secret. They’ve even managed to throw in a couple of arena-worthy tunes with choruses built for audiences to sing in the shape of “Annie” and “Cog in the Wheel”.
Opener “Finished for Twelve” explores the common concept of bands having to juggle a “day job” to get the bills paid alongside touring the country. It portrays the idea of trying to escape so they can get onstage and do something they actually enjoy. Immediately as it kicks in, you know what you’re going to get: hard rock with a high-polished sheen, belying the band’s infancy.
Perhaps the highlight of the EP, “Twenty Sixteen” is an ode to all those we lost last year with Lemmy, David Bowie and Prince name-checked via clever yet instantly recognisable pseudonyms. It addresses the idea of who will become our new legends and who among the living we can take our inspiration from.
A number of support slots set for the coming months and an appearance at this year’s Wildfire Festival ensures that they’re playing to the right audiences. I’ve no doubt they’ll be picking up new fans without hesitation and they’ll soon be a name people in and around Glasgow know.
New Beginning should act as a lesson for other bands on how to come out swinging for the fences in a release. There’s a quiet confidence baked into the music and when you’re creating good quality hard rock, you’re allowed to be a little self-assured.
New Beginning is out now
Anchor Lane: facebook | twitter | soundcloud | bigcartel
wpDiscuz