{"id":17701,"date":"2014-10-29T10:54:03","date_gmt":"2014-10-29T10:54:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-xerxes-collision-blonde\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T08:48:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T07:48:35","slug":"album-review-xerxes-collision-blonde","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-xerxes-collision-blonde\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: Xerxes – Collision Blonde"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"image\"Three years on from their debut LP (‘Our Home is a Deathbed’<\/em>), the Louisville, Kentucky\u2019s Xerxes<\/strong> have undergone a line-up change and on ‘Collision Blonde’<\/em> they showcase a stylistic shift. It sees them moving away from their violent hardcore past to a more melodic hardcore sound, with a hint of post-punk being added to the band’s musical pallet.<\/p>\n

After the distorted intro that is ‘I Was Wrong’<\/em>, ‘Criminal, Animal’<\/em> and ‘A Toast’<\/em> jump start the record with ringing guitars, pulsating drums and Calvin Philley\u2019s dominating aggressive vocals. Both fit into the realm of post-hardcore screamo with the latter being reminiscent of bands such as La Dispute. However thankfully Xerxes<\/strong> avoid from becoming a carbon copy.<\/p>\n

Songs like ‘Knife’<\/em> sees them coming into their own with a grinding bassline, razor sharp guitars and a well-paced structure that gives the track the rewarding payoff it deserves, one that allows Philley to take centre stage.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The aforementioned post-punk influence comes into play on ‘Chestnut Street’<\/em>. With it\u2019s (The) Clash-esque clean guitar hook, the track becomes an album highlight with its punk-infused energy. Whilst the album’s title track is a somewhat more reserved affair. The somber melody is met with 80s post-punk guitars that weave their way in and out throughout the track.<\/p>\n

The 80s influence remains in tact on ‘Exit 123’<\/em> with a driving bassline that reminds me of bands such as Joy Division. However Philley\u2019s anxious vocal delivery gives a stirring momentum that intensely grabs hold of you. Unfortunately the momentum isn\u2019t followed through as ’(but here we are)’<\/em> is a dark and moody number that allows Philley to provide us with a personal monologue, yet it is ineffective.<\/p>\n

The album ends how it began as ‘Nosedive’<\/em> is a fierce, thrasy slice with Philley closing the album with repeated cries of “I can\u2019t make it stop”<\/em>, whilst choppy, distorted guitars and pummelling bass chords back up his intensity.<\/p>\n

On the whole ‘Collision Blonde’<\/em> sees a band who have evolved and show they are willing to change things up. It is a record that ebbs and flows yet at times it struggles to keep your attention. As a unit, Xerxes<\/strong> have all the makings of being a great band but from hearing ‘Collision Blonde’<\/em> its clear they\u2019re yet to find their true identity. I feel harsh to label them as La Dispute\/Touche Amore intimaters, but the more you listen to ‘Collision Blonde’<\/em>, the more that idea comes across. Xerxes<\/strong> have taken a bold change in direction but it ultimately has mixed results.<\/p>\n

2.5\/5<\/p>\n

‘Collision Blonde’<\/em> by Xerxes<\/strong> is out now on No Sleep Records<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Xerxes<\/strong> links: Website<\/a>|Facebook<\/a>|Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n

Words by Sean Reid (@SeanReid86<\/a>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Three years on from their debut LP (‘Our Home is a Deathbed’), the Louisville, Kentucky\u2019s Xerxes have undergone a line-up change and on ‘Collision Blonde’ they showcase a stylistic shift. It sees them moving away from their violent hardcore past to a more melodic hardcore sound, with a hint of post-punk being added to the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[5879,7955,1610,12398,7465],"class_list":["post-17701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-album-reviews","tag-album-reviews","tag-collision-blonde","tag-no-sleep-records","tag-sean-reid","tag-xerxes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAlbum Review: Xerxes - Collision Blonde - Already Heard Staging<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Three years on from their debut LP (‘Our Home is a Deathbed’), the Louisville, Kentucky\u2019s Xerxes have undergone a line-up change and on\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Album Review: Xerxes - 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