Featuring Cahir O'Doherty (guitar/ vocals), Jamie King (bass) and Craig McKean (drums/ vocals), Derry trio FIGHTING WITH WIRE already have links with another well-respected Northern Irish band (Jetplane Landing) and a press release linking them as kindred spirits to the likes of Husker Du and Biffy Clyro. Not a bad resume for a trio whose debut comes in the wake of them coming through the ranks the old hardcore way, playing countless gigs and sharing stages with the likes of Million Dead and Seafood.
And it must be said that there are times when FWW make a convincing case for being mentioned in the same breath as the exalted likes of the Huskers or Biffy. As well as bagging a tremendous title, 'Everyone Needs A Nemesis' is an excellent early example of their finely-executed detonator-pushing 'ardcore, with the tripwire riffs, smouldering verses and blood rushes of the choruses all happily present and correct; 'All For Nothing' is aching and nagging and demonstrates that FWW ain't afraid to let melody seep out when it's appropiate and 'Sugar' proves to be an apt title as it ain't exactly a million miles from the sound Bob Mould and co. perfected circa 'Copper Blue'. And I mean that in strictly complimentary terms, I might add.
Elsewhere, though, FWW'S adherence to strict hardcore rules may be commendable in itself, but the results can sound hackneyed after a while. Opener 'Cut The Transmission' may sound uncannily like early Foo Fighters, but O'Doherty's overheating, balls-in-a-vice vocal screech quickly drags it down, while the swerving riffs, quiet-loud verse-chorus-verse dynamics of songs like 'Strength In Numbers' and 'My Armoury' may remind us why Nirvana were so influential, but also serve to remind as to why a new generation of bands really ought to let their modus operandi rest in peace.
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Happily, FWW still have 'This Body Is In Danger' in reserve for the finale and this one concession to dreaminess building gradually and eerily into something epic and genuinely powerful demonstrates just how good this trio could be in the future if they simply go with what sounds the most bitching rather than pandering to the restrictive post-hardcore scene's unwritten laws.
On this occasion, it's perhaps a little too late, but overall 'Man vs. Monster' has enough wholesome stuff to suggest Fighting With Wire could certainly develop into a force to be reckoned with in future. As yet, I doubt they have the confidence to walk the post-hardcore plank, but if they pluck up the courage it'll be worth watching which way they jump.
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