Album Review: Turnstile, Nonstop Feeling by Sam Brookes

Well this came out of left field didn’t it? Formed from the pedigree of other hardcore and rock bands such as Trapped Under Ice, Diamond Youth and Angel Du$t, Turnstile released two decent if uninspiring EP’s: Step 2 Rhythm and Pressure to Succeed. With the release of their first full length LP, Turnstile have created something truly unique. Taking the 90’s hardcore sound from their former albums and pushing it into the background in favour of the groove influences, Turnstile have created an album that has simultaneously established them as the leaders of their genre, whilst transforming themselves into something that is so much more than just another hardcore band.

Hardcore roots

Opening track Gravity contains a few knowing nods to the band’s 90’s hardcore roots. With it’s vinyl scratch and gang vocals at the beginning or the distorted vocals in the chorus, you’re almost transported back to Giuliani’s New York, however there’s enough groove in the riffs and drums and the vocals are unique enough to keep it from being another re-tread of their earlier nineties style work. Can’t Deny It is the album’s stand out track, blending a groove infused bass and guitar riff, with the constant rhythm of a high-hat and fast paced lyrics with vocals that are reminiscent of Bad Brains whilst also blending in elements of the current wave of emo and shoegaze. The description sounds like a mess, but it is an ear worm, with a riff that you’ll be humming for weeks on end.

Seamless flow

Blue By You and Out Of Rage flow seamlessly into one another, the former being a more emo-esque ballad before the bass comes in with a threatening solo riff that leads into the latter; a straight up, no nonsense hardcore track, which drips with venomous aggression. The guitar tone, screamed vocals and constant rhythm of the drums makes you want to throw stuff out the window. The band take their experimentation further with Love Lasso, an instrumental number which almost sounds like a Shadows track. The bass and drums carry a steady, basic rhythm, whilst the guitar plays a slow minor key solo, that’s soothing after all the groove and energy that came before it.

This album really caught me off guard. I’m used to hardcore bands being there for me when I’m not in the best mood but to innovate on a notoriously stubborn genre in the way that Turnstile have, was a pleasant and genuinely welcome surprise. Nonstop Feeling now sits squarely at the top of my top 10 albums of all time and I cannot wait to hear album number two.