It’s exciting times in the Meet Me At The Border camp at the moment, after releasing their new EP Lead From the Front.
The group express the satisfaction they all feel from hearing the final product of something they have invested so much time and effort on. Producer Danny B receives a special mention here, and is described as “a scholar and a gent!” It’s not just the results that please Meet Me at the Border, but the whole recording process, and spending four days at HVR studios was a pleasurable experience for them, by all accounts.
It was a busy year all round for this up and coming band and they list their highlights of 2011 as filming their video shoot and being played on BBC Essex. However, keen not to become complacent, the boys are already looking forward to what they can hope to achieve in 2012. The entire band agrees that reaching new fans by extensive touring and writing new material is the best course of action for the New Year. However, bassist Phill Morley also has a desire to be aired on Fern Cotton’s show on Radio 1 – and more importantly, to meet the host!
The EP itself commences with a more than promising start, as the melodic guitar riffs of Fires soar in. Immediately you are aware that this is a well polished and incredibly polished young talent. All instruments are tightly in sync with one other, the song structure is clear and it’s a thoroughly engaging tune.
Just Happened to be Tonight kicks off with an instant vigour which is maintained throughout the entirety of the song. Passion is truly conveyed through the vocals in this track and we believe vocalist Alex Bell when he exclaims “You don’t understand right now”. The whole band again put it sound performances to create this number and the fact this has been recorded to an exceptional standard is clearly apparent.
The band themselves explained that Reflections is a new avenue for them – but that is by no means a bad thing. It was mentioned that there were concerns about this song initially, as it was so different from their usual music. However they are now convinced that the final result has left them with something ‘epic’. I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree with them on that front. Reflections is a beautiful song which incorporates some wonderful harmonies and provides a great contrast to the rest of this EP.
Meet Me at the Border are back their energetic, pressing brilliance with Take the Hit. Drummer Chris Wilson admits this is his favourite track from the selection, for the fact it is so much fun to play. It isn’t hard to see why; as the drums are a colossal force to be reckoned with his, their clout is astounding. With the inclusion of some distinct metal vocals in parts, the guys really prove they are jacks of all trades.
The double guitar tracking of Kings Will Fall is a real treat to hear and there is a definite Iron Maiden aura about the whole of this song. It is an ambitious thriller of a song, with tempo changes and an epic coda section. Meet Me at the Border pull it off with style and finesse, and their efforts have been rewarded with a remarkable EP. This one definitely gets five stars.
