“LoveHateHero” are a 5 piece band based in Los Angeles and, like all new(ish) and young(ish) bands, have already had their fair share of soul destroying hiccups during their short(ish) career. Losing band members partway through tours being one of the major ones.  The band are currently made up of Pierrick Berube on vocals, Paris Bosserman on bass, Kevin Gruft and Myk Russell on guitars and Scott Gee on drums and White Lies” is theie second release. The first album, “Just Breathe”, was released in 2005, also on Ferret Music. 

I have never heard of these guys before (now there’s a shock), so as always I have to listen to what they have to offer quite a few times to get feeling as to what they are trying to do with their music.  Some have called them “Underground EMO”, others have labelled them as “post Screamo” (honestly, who sits down and thinks all these Genre’s up?).  But, after a decent listen, I can see where they are coming from. They combine Metal, Post-Hardcore and Screamo with some Jazz orientated time signatures and mix in some punk tinged edgy sounds for good measure.  I think they belong in the MetPoScreaJaPunk genre.  (Whaddya mean, it will never catch on?) 

What “LoveHateHero” have given us, regardless of how you want to label them, is a lot of contagious guitar work, vocals that put out a full frontal assault on the listener, and a bunch of guys having fun.  I do like guitar heavy albums and “White Lies” has enough guitar virtuosity to satisfy anyone, with fretwork that interweaves delicious and intricate riffs on every track and leads that have a distinct metal edge to them.  Scott on drums provides the foundations to all the tracks with his power and stability.  At times he uses Jazz inspired time signatures to good effect and shows that he is a true exponent of his art, managing to change from his almost disco-esqe hi-hat on some tracks to mind blowing double drumming on others.  As well as keeping the tempo on track, he also adds his voice to the vocals on “White Lies” and compliments Pierrick’s vocal with some surprisingly good high parts.  Pierrick on vocals is basically the topping to it all.  If you are looking for perfection, then don’t look here, Pierrick’s vocals are far from perfect – but they change from high flying strength and brutality down to subtle and poignant sincerity within a heartbeat and really are the icing on the cake for this style of music. 

All in all “White Lies” is a modern Rock album which combines pop-sensibility and stylistic toughness with just enough commercialism within its boundaries to guarantee it some radio airplay and help within mass marketing.  It is steeped in rock/pop melodies and is littered with soaring melodies and choruses that could almost be classed “anthemic”.  Tracks such as “Amity” and “I’ll Make It To Brigades” are very impressive and will, without doubt, receive a lot of airplay on mainstream radio and also on the generic video channels.  I do feel that “LoveHateHero” have taken the time from their previous release to sit down and reflect on what they have done, refine it, tweak it, and come up with a more polished, sharper and well honed sound that will undoubtedly entertain any who take the time to listen to it.  I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more from “LoveHateHero” in the months to come.

Let us know your views on 'White Lies'

Track Listing

Goodbye My Love
I'll Make It to the Brigades
Red Dress
You Got Served
Amity
Of Sound & Fury
Running with Scissors
Move On
To the End
Hollywoodemia
White Lies
She Puts the H in Homewrecker

Line Up

 Pierrick Berube - Vocals
Paris Bosserman - Bass
Kevin Gruft - Guitars
Myk Russell - Guitars
Scott Gee - Drums