Desperado

When you think of hardcore music, there are certain elements that one typically expects to hear in the instrumentals. The guitars usually have a certain, distinctive sound and there may usually be quite a few breakdowns. But the Norwegian hardcore group Desperado would like to change this typical perception of the genre.

At four songs and a length of only nine minutes, this EP is quite short but will give listeners a good idea of what the band is all about. The instrumentals are rough and heavy, and at times one might mistake the music for a grunge or even Southern rock band if the vocalist wasn't screaming.

The vocals are closer to that of punk screaming than heavy bands such as Norma Jean or straight hardcore bands such as Underoath. There is also some Blood Brothers-esque screaming at certain points throughout the EP. Not everyone goes for this type of screaming, so be sure to look into this before you consider a purchase.

Low Fidelity Crust Sessions is an extremely short EP that is a decent introduction to a band that is practically unknown in North America. It's a nice listen for screamo fans that want something a bit different from what is saturating the market these days, but the short length will just leave them begging for even more material. - Cosmos Gaming

I hesitate to take anything away from Desperado. “Evacuation” is quite a full-length that packs a good punch with lots of very competent post-hardcore, not-quite-emo, sometimes almost screamo (but not really). In fact, this is probably one of the better releases of the year when you look at some of the other bands that mix it up like Desperado. Being from Norway explains why so few people know of them on this side of the Atlantic.

Honestly, this is very, very good music. It doesn’t get boring, but it does take a few listens to start understanding it and enjoying it. The sound they have managed is to their advantage, keeping it relatively unclean, when so many of their sound alike peers fall into the rut of overproduced poppiness. It sounds quite similar to their labelmates, Silence the Foe, though it lacks some of the intensity of STF.

The guitars definitely would be recognized as originating from Scandinavia, and while they avoid formulaic, it just seems to have that Swedish punk type tone. It’s a cross between straight up fast garage rock and hardcore punk, with some other styles thrown it. Desperado does this sound perfectly. As far as rhythm section goes, the balance is right on, and no instrument dominates. I am disappointed that this band does not embrace some of the dynamic possibilities they have created for themselves. Many an opportunity exists to let off the gas pedal and then emphasize the energy created by such a void. But overall, Desperado has it together quite well for a second release.

Sometimes the vocals are a bit overdone, though. Not often, it’s mostly that they sound so much like a lot of other Scandinavian hardcore bands. Overall, the vocals are chanting, with lots of screaming and some spoken word to go with it. No melody from the singer, which is something that sets this band apart. So often this type of sound gets plagued with cheesy “melody” from people who think they can sing (although some can, mind you). There are a couple times when a second singer will give us a bit of melody, but this is relegated to the background. The lyrics are quite intelligent and never once is the word she, her or love mentioned. What a breath of fresh air that is.

Desperado has quite a first full length here, but it does leave plenty of room to improve. Even with so much room to get better, what they have is worth of notice. If they can manage to get someone important’s attention over here, there is lots of potential. I don’t want to relegate Desperado to the “lots of potential” category, because that usually means they aren’t that good as it is, but they are. So give it a chance and try it out.

Standout Tracks:
‘Persistent Defeat,' 'Beauty is the First Victim’ - Quitmyscene.com

Mit Ihrer ersten, selbstbetitelten EP haben die Skandinavier DESPERADO einen guten Eindruck bei mir hinterlassen, mit „Evacuation“ können sie ihn vollends ausbauen. Neues Futter für die Zappel-Fraktion!!! Über die komplette Spieldauer von 10 Songs kommt keine Langeweile auf, sperrige Rhythmen treffen auf klasse Melodiebögen, das würden auch die Vorzeigezappler von JR EWING oder CHILDREN OF FALL nicht besser hinkriegen. Auch das Gekeife von „Sänger“ Thomas passt optimal dazu, mehr braucht man wirklich nicht zu sagen, für Leute die auf oben genannte Bands können ein absolut gefundenes Fressen und ich gehe mal davon aus dass DESPERADO bald in einem Atemzug mit den Erwähnten genannt werden. Dazu wurde das Ganze in ein echt ansehnliches, schön-schlichtes Artwork verpackt, uneingeschränkte Kaufempfehlung meinerseits. (hs) - Helldriver Magazine

Folk har oppdaget Desperado, og da snakker vi ikke om Eagles-låta med samme navn, men det ekstremt kompromissløse, rebelske, Trondheims-baserte Desperado, som nå er ute med oppfølgeren til fenomenale "Evacuation" fra i fjor. Det har blitt en kort oppfølger, en ep, og det regnes kanskje ikke som en oppfølger, men de har i alle fall levert noe nytt, som, splitte mine bramseil, er enda bedre enn brorparten av materialet på "Evacuation".

Desperado fikk i februar en henvendelse fra et studio i Oslo ved navn "The Low Fidelity Crust Lounge", og fikk tips om at andre punkband også hadde fått signaler derfra. Det endte med at de reiste til hovedstaden og spilte inn ep-en, derav navnet på plata. Gutta i bandet husker visst ikke så mye av det som skjedde i løpet av de 5 månedene bandet holdt på med plata, men lurt ble de ikke, for lyden er mektig, rå og sitrende.

Desperado har et slags musikalsk fundament som er støpt i titanpåler hvor hodeskallene til medlemmene i Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Hüsker Du, Suicidal Tendencies, Fugazi, Nirvana, Sex Pistols og ...and you will know us by the trail of dead har fast plass. Men Desperado har hogd armene av sine mer kjente impulser og leverer en type hardcore ekstrempunk som de sannsynlig kan ta patent på, om da ikke amerikanske The Blood Brothers kommer dem i forkjøpet, i verdensmålestokk, eller Silence The Foe her hjemme. Silence The Foe og Desperado er ganske like faktisk, de er til og med på samme label, Dead Letter Records, i Trondheim selvsagt.

Skal du være med på tur med Desperado må du være klar over hva som møter deg. Bandet spiller nemlig knallhard rock, nesten så hardt som det kan bli. Det stopper, starter. Det er rytmisk kaos, trommene bomber deg i senk, det er heseblesende riff, det er skriking over en lav sko, men etter et par-tre gjennomhøringer faller ting på plass. I djevelens utstrakte musikalske hånd på jorden finner du plutselig ut at det finnes melodier i dette også. Organisert djevelskap heter det vel, og det må selvsagt spilles så høyt du får lov til, eller orker å høre på. Skal du være med på tur med Desperado er det en sånn tur du får.

Åpningslåta er fantastisk, du kaster kroppen diggende frem og tilbake mens musikken høvler over deg som et overfylt tog med feite humler, eller en byge fylt med tubaer...eller et eller annet du vet er tungt, du skjønner poenget. Sistesporet er også helt infernalsk og psykisk nedbrytende for bestemødre som aldri har kommet over Odd Grythe eller Børt Erik Thoresen. Desperado jobber i et tempo som femdobler pulsslag på en vanlig mann, men så må de da også ta pauser i låta. Da hører vi bare bass og trommer ei beite, men så kjører dem i gang igjen.

Desperado gjør det gang på gang, bikkjer gjør hele dagen, du gjør i buksa.
Se dem, hør dem, føl dem! - Rockeweb