EP Review: Mark And The Wolves – Lost For Words

Since 2010 the band have focused themselves on throwing out a full on energetic almost thrash version of skate punk..  Their previous releases have been ‘We’re All The Sinners’ that were distributed digitally through various streaming services, and ‘Brothers Of Sound’ that was released as a compact disc by Thousand Islands Records, hit highs in the genre.

‘Lost For Words’ is a six track EP that’s packed full of melodic modern sounding skate punk that has its own soundscape running along side the traditional.  It kicks off with ‘Against The Wind’ an acoustic precursor to what is to come, vocals that give reminders of Jacoby Shaddix in places and have you curious for what is ahead.

Beyond the lead up you are then hit full on in the face by blistering riffs and fast paced guitar shredding to drive you through ‘Singularity’ with its, ‘Bullet For My Valentine’ esk depth of sound.

This format seems to run through pretty much the whole of the six tracks and yes it’s a format that has been used and abused for many a heavy skate punk album and almost edges on heavy rock, but Mark & The Wolves do seem to pull it off with a huge splash of individuality.  The songs ‘Sheep & Shepherds’  as fast paced at the preceding song and full of fierce bass lines and heady drum beats, ’Revolt’ and ‘Dear Thomas L’ both hitting similar heights,  then there is what is possibly the stand out track of the EP ‘A Matter Of Time’  a slightly softer (very slightly) melodic approach here, full of choppy drum beats and an emphasis on the vocal to get across the message within maybe, certainly a more punk than rock feel here, love this direction, just wondering if this style could have been more prevalent throughout, for a more unique sound.  

 All in all a well accomplished EP, that holds older and younger generations of the heavier side of skate punk in good stead.

Get your copy from Thousand Island Records

Check out the bands Facebook HERE