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Rolo Tomassi is a name I’ve heard many times before, often mentioned in the same breath as Gallows and The Bronx, but I’ve never actually gotten around to giving them a listen. Whilst they do share some traits with the aforementioned bands they have a sound that marks them out as different from the usual hardcore fare. Instead of playing straight ahead hardcore/punk, Sheffield’s Rolo Tomassi throw in synth and more experimental elements into their song. Coupled with having a female vocalist in a genre dominated by males it makes for a more unique listening experience.
This is only their second full length album, but was preceded by a whole raft of EPs, demos and splits with the likes of Cancer Bats and Throats. The album opens with a repetitive synth sound which almost outstays its welcome until the traditional drums and guitar steamroll their way into the song. The synth sound that I was so dubious of actually fits the music perfectly. It works well, weaving in and out of the music taking centre stage only when necessary never feeling forced or there purely as a gimmick.
Admittedly I haven’t heard their back catalogue so this may have been on display before, but on this release vocalist Eva Spence show that she isn’t only adept at screaming eardrums into oblivion. On several of the tracks she displays a softer, almost soothing, singing style such as on Kesia which makes for one of the highlights of the album.
Clocking in at around 35 minutes, the album is a perfect length also. It doesn’t outstay its welcome and leaves you wanting more. Many hardcore punk albums are plagued with the same problem – essentially being 30 minutes of music that sounds pretty much the same, but Rolo Tomassi manage to pack more ideas in one song than some do over entire albums. Definitely one to check out if you like your music fierce and have an open mind.

check out Rolo Tomassi at: www.myspace.com/rolotomassi