Vanna

A New Hope is an unexpectedly good album. Sure, there are the lame moshcore breakdowns that will have all the kids doing their crazy kung-fu kicks but the band are also capable of kicking it into high gear and thrashing at a speed that should satisfy old school punk fans. If you were more a fan of Alexisonfire's first album than their later efforts, Vanna are a band to check out, as they balance the throaty growls with the soaring singing. They're at their best when the straight-up singing is used sparingly and worst when it takes over a song, as is the case on "Where We Are Now." "Sleepwalker" gives a nod to Converge, sporting some intense start-stop drumming and dissonant chord progressions. This is a strong sophomore release and if you're a fan of the genre, Vanna are a band you'll want to check out.