A Grungy Resurgence, Part Two
Echo Scale™: ★★★★ (4.3)
We’ve been following Neversound, the four-piece Alt Rock and Grunge outfit from the rugged South of Devon, UK, for a while now. They first landed on our radar with their debut EP, Saviour, a furious statement of intent that proved grunge wasn’t just a relic of the ’90s. With that release, the band showcased a mission to channel the raw power of titans like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and even a touch of Black Sabbath, pushing boundaries with a punishing wall of sound.
Our last review noted their tangible potential and their knack for crafting songs that were “bleak, melancholic, and chillingly effective.” Now, with their debut full-length, Where Did The Time Go?, Neversound is back to prove that their sound isn’t just a fleeting homage; it’s a full-fledged, and at times, surprisingly complex, journey.
Track-by-Track: A Return to the Depths (And a Few Surprising Turns)
The album wastes no time getting to business, throwing us straight into familiar territory. “Out Of Mind” is a visceral, attitude-laden track with a real Alice in Chains feel and the swagger of Velvet Revolver. As we noted on the EP, the band embodies unfiltered grungey goodness, but a few of the mixing choices still feel a little off. The high end can be harsh, and the low end is noticeably missing, a detail that was also present on its EP version. And yes, the “glam rock shrill yell” we mentioned last time makes a brief return. While taste is subjective, this stylistic choice does tend to break the otherwise captivating flow of the song. That minor point aside, it’s a solid offering that exemplifies what Neversound is all about.
Next up, “Indifference” is a bit of a basic song, but it’s infectiously catchy. It feels like a track that would really pop live, a testament to the band’s focus on performance. The guitar tone is spot-on, so grungey, so well dialed in; and the vocals have a swaggering coolness to them. However, much like on “Out of Mind,” the occasional high shriek rears its head, momentarily jarring you out of the experience. Despite that, this is a genuinely good song that earns its place on the album.
“Saviour,” the title track from their last EP, makes its return. It’s still an immediate descent into the familiar, murky depths of grunge. Starting with a deceptively clean intro, the track quickly unravels into a sound highly reminiscent of Alice in Chains. The percussion here is a standout; a genuine nod to Grohl-esque fills permeates the song, lending it undeniable grunge credibility. The bass player’s interaction with the guitarist is seamless, and his tone is deliciously fat, anchoring the track with a solid, resonant foundation.
“Feel Alive” is where the album truly finds its footing. This song is heavier, more melancholic, and, in my opinion, the absolute highlight of the album. The drummer delivers a primal, top-tier performance, with those big tom parts setting the track apart. This is the kind of nasty, swampy, and unsettling grunge we want. The guitar work is particularly clever and well-paced, shifting effortlessly between atmospheric, airy passages and moments of filthy, grimy heaviness. It’s a well-composed song and a massive statement placed so early on the record.
The title track, “Where Did the Time Go?”, is a six-minute epic that truly lives up to its name. For a genre not often associated with complexity, this song is an intellectual, thoughtfully written piece of grunge. It seamlessly progresses through a lot of moving parts, building an anthemic, stadium-ready atmosphere without sacrificing any of its dirtiness. The shrieking vocals are back, but on a song of this scale, it feels more like a stylistic choice than an oddity. It’s a big song, and they pulled it off beautifully.
“Under the Rain” shows the band’s ability to switch things up. The cleaner guitar parts in the verses, sitting as a side note to an enormous bassline, are full of intrigue and lead to a massive, distortion-laden chorus. To a degree, this feels like a song written from a collection of intriguing spare parts, but they make it work. It’s another highly enjoyable entry that keeps the album from becoming repetitive.
And then we get to “Flaws Defined.” Honestly, I’m at a loss here. Halfway between a PVC catsuit and Ghost, this track just doesn’t feel like Neversound. Where’s the dirt? Where’s the bleak, grungey, alternative rock gone? The desolate, apathetic guitar tone is replaced by something completely out of place. It’s a weird song that feels totally lost on this album and will likely be my first skip on future listens.
Thankfully, “Mask” is a swift return to form. Rough, ready, and absolutely bathed in that no-nonsense attitude we expect from them, it’s a catchy singalong with a definite noteworthy addition to the album. While the mix gets a bit busy and muddy at times, the song is a great reminder of why we love this band.
“Rust Covered Fences” is a welcome returning track and, as we noted on their last EP, an absolute highlight. Opening with a behemoth of a riff, it’s a real lesson in atmosphere; bleak, melancholic, and chillingly effective. Every member of the band converges to serve this mood, with guitars injecting an unsettling creepiness and the drummer providing a rock-solid, unwavering backbone. It was the highlight of their EP, and it still holds its own as a standout on the album.
Next up, “Perspective” is a masterful change of pace. An emotive, contemplative instrumental interlude under two minutes in length, it has all the feeling of a song five times longer. It proves that Neversound isn’t just about punishing sound; they understand the power of subtlety.
“Lost In Silence” is a song with real taste. It’s filthy, arrogance-laden goodness. The flawless guitar tones and work are not overdone, instead serving to create a raw, relentless vibe that does its job perfectly. The drumming is once again a highlight, proving he knows exactly what a song needs. This is another song that I’m sure would translate incredibly well in a live setting.
Finally, the album closes with “Its Nothing New.” This song delivers in spades. It’s desolate, gut-wrenching, and a real glimpse into Neversound’s ability to create an immersive atmosphere. This song genuinely evoked a legitimate emotional response in me, and for somebody who listens to dozens of albums and singles per week, that doesn’t happen often. Congratulations on closing the album flawlessly, Neversound.
The Verdict: Time Well Spent
Echo Scale™: ★★★★ (4.3)
Look, this was never going to be a polished, radio-ready situation. That isn’t grunge, and it isn’t Neversound. What this album is, is a statement of intent. These guys can write, they can truly perform, and they understand exactly what they are trying to create. With a bit better production and if they would (for the love of god) stop the vocalist from shrieking like that, this could easily be an artist of the month contender. For now, Where Did The Time Go? is still a powerful, essential listen for any fan of the genre, and absolutely worth every bit of its 4.3 stars.
