:: If Provoked - If Provoked

If Provoked

The latest release to emerge from the underground D.I.Y Or Die Records label (founded by Sydney based punk rockers Twin City Faction back in 2003) is the debut EP from Manly (Sydney) based metal outfit If Provoked.
Recorded on the cheap, the six tracks that appear on If Provoked’s self-titled debut are hardly what you would call refined sonic masterpieces. But having said that, there’s more than enough enthusiasm and interesting ideas to forgive the rough and ready aspects of the band’s abrasive and raw sound. ‘No Redemption’ is an over the top opening number that has the band firing on all cylinders at a frantic pace, with Scotty’s vocals and Webber’s manic drumming coming on like a tirade, while stalker based ‘New Found Prey’ (which is introduced by the sound of a can, of what I can only assume is beer, being opened) is a little more groove based. Guitarist Nicko adds some interesting riff structures to thrash based ‘Through The Wreckage’ and the bass heavy ‘Float Or Swim’ (both tracks that also prove that Scotty is able to produce some cleaner vocal passages beyond his predominately screeching efforts), while ‘Wasteland’ is best remembered for shifting tempos and seamless breakdown passages.
The final number ‘These Dead Eyes’, much like the former track, consistently reverts from strong heavy grooves to frantic displays of thrash, which more than keeps the track interesting. As mentioned earlier, the production work leaves a lot to be desired, but it hardly matters when the songs If Provoked offer up rise above their somewhat primitive sound. Given a little more time in the studio, and the assistance of an experienced hand behind the console, If Provoked could really come up with something that genuinely incites pure sonic destruction.