What we have here is the second EP from New Zealand based rockers Sonic altar.  Just over a year has pasted since I reviewed their debut release and not much appears to have changed in the Sonic Altar camp in the intervening time except for the fact that the band have acquired the services of a full time keyboard player, namely one Nick Carter. Carter doesn't appear on this release but in the long run he will, undoubtedly, improve the bands already good sound.

After a short bout of the touring the band headed into the studio record these tracks as demos to shop to labels ahead of a full length album. The quality of the recording is so good however that the band have decide to make them commercially available and they can be purchased via the bands MySpace site. So what of the music though? Opener, What You’ve Been Waiting For, is an up-tempo affair with hints of acts as diverse as Dio and the Kaiser Chiefs. Some Way again shows the band developing their excellent blend of classic rock with more modern rock sounds. Opening with a very familiar sounding riff that hooks the listener the song takes a right turn to become a slightly funky little number reminiscent a little of one time UK hopefuls Atom Seed. Forgotten Warrior is re-recording of ae track that appear on the previous EP and in this guise appears to have taken on a slight Joy Division sound. Screaming At The Sun on the other hand is a typical modern rock track as played by the likes of New 1927’s etc. Rounding out the EP is Vital Signs. Some proper guitar workouts coupled with a brooding epic melody and lyric makes the song a bit of a power ballad and perhaps this is the reason I like this band so much: their ability to take a number of influences, both old and new, and blend them into a song that will appeal to both the older generation of rock fans and the younger generation in equal measure.

The band have landed a prestige opening slot at a major New Zealand show over the Easter Weekend 2008 on a bill that also features the likes of Kiss, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Whitesnake and Lordi. This should enable the band to widen their fan base considerably and I for one look forward to hearing the full length album upon it’s completion.

Contact: www.myspace.com/sonicaltar

Track Listing

What You’ve Been Waiting For
Some Way
Forgotten Warrior
Screaming At The Sun
Vital Signs

Line Up

Kane Bennett - Vocals
Daniel Costello - Guitar
Chris Hulbert - Drums
Rowan Uhe - Guitar
Mark Lowe - Bass