I really wanted to like this album as XisLoaded are that rare thing – a modern British rock act. Hailing from Bath ‘Trench’ is the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut (it says here) ‘Raw Nerve’. That was back in 2004 so how have the band fared in-between? 

Well for starters they have hooked up with producer Paul Corkett to record this album. A man associated with Placebo, Nick Cave and The Cure. The last name on that list is interesting as the band do indeed sound like The Cure in places. But then that’s the problem I have with this album – on the first few songs they try to sound like Nirvana. Towards the end it’s Jane’s Addiction and the whole thing just moves along in such a weird schizophrenic manner that I don’t really know who the real XisLoaded are. 

The production is also a bit strange. Very thin and lightweight with the vocals sounding like they were recorded in a small room with egg boxes on the wall. That’s producer Corkett’s style no doubt but I don’t think it does Jake’s vocals any favours.  

Opener ‘Heroin’ is pure Nirvana. But done badly. ‘Sick Sickness’ is more of the same but with a catchier chorus that redeems itself to a certain extent. Then we move off into ‘Cure’ territory with stuff like ‘To you the Spoils’ – as daft a song title as I’ve heard in a while. 

Guitarist, Martino, is also guilty of laying it on thick with a hideous slap-back echo plonked across every song. It really does irritate by the time the last number comes along. Song 14 is called ‘Mass Exit’ and surprise surprise…I like it! Hurrah! Yes this little ditty is awesome and even more amazing is that the bleedin’ echo from the guitarist finally suits the song. This is mayhem that isn’t a million miles from Manchester’s finest – prog metallers ‘Amplifier’. 

Truth is XisLoaded have some really good ideas. Passages of songs really do click in places. Yet the whole thing is let down by some shoddy production and playing, not to say ineffective vocals. Certain tracks are excellent but as a whole ‘Trench’ is all over the place. The really good albums have a connectivity – ‘Trench’ is just too disjointed to be that enjoyable. Be original and find your own sound, guys, and develop it properly first.

Let us know your views on 'Trench'

Track List

Heroin
Sick Sickness
Set It off
Penetration
Skeletons
First Reaction
Momentum Fails
To You The Spoils
Carousel
Out of Shape
Pulse
Surrounded
Dead Room
Mass Exit

 Line Up

Jake – Vocals/Guitars
Alex – Bass
Martino – Guitars
Jamie – Drums