Epock Rising

Epoch Rising

Angela Macari O’Looney

Blistering guitar solos, well constructed original numbers and a fire packed performance from start to finish are the ethos of Epoch Rising, a new and refreshing Irish Rock band, who are slowly but surely building up a following.
Members hail from Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Offaly and each are quality musicians and singers as you will discover on hearing their songs on My Space, or their recently released debut single 10, available on I Tunes.

Influences include Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, and Wildhearts. Musicians are Sean Ahearn – Vocals/Guitars/ Programming, Harry Prendergast – Vocals/ Guitars/ Visuals and Laurence Moloney – Drums.

One vital advantage is that both Sean and Harry previously fronted their own bands, with the result being an exciting blend of vocals harmonized like a fine tuned instrument in every number. When asked to describe their sound they say it’s energetic with a dark, feel-good edge.

10
This begins with the haunting refrain ‘it’s over’, building up to the intro which is a plucky lead riff. This is a fast moving cheerful song. Melody is catchy, chorus sweet. The riff throughout frames the whole scene, with a lively, exciting guitar break which hits the right spot.

Silence

The harmony is just excellent in this dramatic number, especially in the explosive chorus. A key riff is played throughout; lead solo is memorable but short. Middle eight involves choppy guitar chords, with an echo of I want it all. In this song I feel there’s a pleasant mix of up- to- the- minute Rock infused with a tincture of good old fashioned head banging with your air guitar stuff!

Contact

Vocals are exceptional in this number. It goes from trickling lead in one line, to burst into bashing chords for the next. The melody as in all their songs is memorable and I like the way the words Make contact a storm is rising is sung quietly, building up to a fast urgent chorus with equally fieriness in the accompanying guitars, like you’ve hit the eye of the storm!

Leave it all behind

A slower song, this is laid back with delicious harmony, a pretty melody and excellent lyrics. The chorus is particularly beautiful. There’s a part where the lads sing ‘Ahs’ in almost choral style. Instruments drop back and it’s hairs on the back of your neck stuff.
Listening to these few numbers by Epoch Rising has made me want to hear them over and over. They are a unique gem indeed, in an industry that has turned around and is resurrecting lots of classic styles and leans towards good song writing technique and true musicianship as opposed to good looks and tight butts.