EP REVIEW: Nocturnal Youth – Pistols At Dawn

We have been questioning the status quo since the dawn of authority. Campaigning for change is rightly part of human nature. One of the most prolific ways in doing this is through music. GREEN DAY, RISE AGAINST, and countless others have stepped up to the plate and spat in the face of corrupt powers. Atlanta rock outfit PISTOLS AT DAWN raise their own bat and hope for a home run with debut EP Nocturnal Youth.

PISTOLS AT DAWN formed in 2015 with Adam Jaffe [drums], Devin White [guitars], and Billy Sullivan [bass]. Following the death of original guitarist Mike Buffa in 2018, the band brought back Tommy Richardson, and in 2019, recruited ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA finalist Chris Pierson as their vocalist. Nocturnal Youth offers 14 minutes of what promises to be hard hitting protestation. Is this promise fulfilled?

Voices tantalises us with a hard and heavy opening. Pierson’s brooding of powers that be “controlling the virtuous lie” mix with BREAKING BENJAMIN-inspired chugs. While the dual guitars are lush in tone, there’s something missing. The punch they’re swinging lacks power. With that in mind, the chorus fills the room and feels familiar. Though this familiarity tells us we’ve heard it all before.

Standing up to less favourable authoritative figures demands gumption. PISTOL AT DAWN’s ability to create infectious guitar licks isn’t in question. The power of the instrumental breeding an uprising is there, but it backs off the accelerator. Crown’s groove is akin to that of SEVENDUST with blast beats grabbing our attention. “I will never wear your crown” shows conviction against conforming. Yet, the band chokes. The crunch in Now Is The Time vies for us to rally behind it. When it’s nestled in dark grunge though, the crunch dampens. As is evident with the rest of the EP, it doesn’t inspire the call to arms it hoped to.

“You spend your life running in one place” Pierson proclaims in closing Gone Black. Unfortunately, this EP is testimony of exactly that. In saying that, there is so much potential in this Georgia-based group. Call and response choruses play over the slick groove Nocturnal Youth needed. The under utilised bass solo shines through the darkness. But it’s come too late.

We asked whether PISTOLS AT DAWN fulfil their promise of protestation. In this instance, no. The attempts the band have made are admirable but the subject matter requires so much more. Nocturnal Youth is under baked in a lot of places. Yet, PISTOLS AT DAWN are brimming with potential they will realise in time.

Rating: 6/10

Nocturnal Youth is out now via self-release.

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