By Cole Rashid Michelon
The up-and-coming indie/rock band, As Rome Burns, released a brilliant new EP on the 26th of September. Reactor, as it’s called, reflects on the common feeling of trepidation that stems from the ever-deteriorating nature of modern society, but still shows the spirit of perseverance that speaks to the heart of humanity. Reactor, whose album cover shows an abandoned home below nuclear reactors, fully embodies the spirit of rock/punk. In this article, I will be breaking down the songs in Reactor – I hope you, the readers, will be encouraged to listen to this wonderful band.
Song 1: ‘Animal’
The song starts with a distorted, loud and lingering chord. Immediately it captures the listener and gives a sense of chaos and urgency. The song goes on to repeat ‘I am an animal’ in an enraged, passionate scream with a subtle undertone of depression and, frankly, hopelessness. This howl almost impersonates an animal’s, as if scaring predators away – this highlights, however, the animal’s vulnerability. The band has explained how this song reflects UK politics and the state of the world: it’s an anthem of protest on an individual level against the recent, and concerning, shift in political atmosphere. Between the lead guitarist screaming through his pickups and the team reportedly smashing up a bin, As Rome Burns says in their press release that this song came together as if it were second nature. The process of making it seems to be one the band will not soon forget.
Song 2: ‘I Am Your Enemy’
In stark contrast to ‘Animals’, this song has a gradual buildup. It opens with a dreary static sound and then a few simple, gentle chords followed by a melancholic voice. Paring with the voice, the lyrics explore intergenerational trauma and its cycles. It’s a relatable song for the many hurt and lost people in this generation (no wonder this is a fan favourite!). The song was made to be raw and unapologetic. Intergenerational trauma isn’t often spoken about: the trauma doesn’t stem from a single instance, so people often worry about sharing theirs. Because of this, the sheer emotion of this song is a voice that resonates with so many.
Song 3: ‘I Think You Should Leave’
Admittedly, this song is my least favourite – but I still play it on repeat. It’s the most uplifting song in the album, starting with a very funky and up-beat baseline, although still handling similar themes as the rest. The song was written while band members fought through a particularly hard period of poor mental health. The lyric ‘I just want to get better’ eventually changes to ‘I think you should leave’ as the struggle is overcome. It is a brilliant way to end the EP and an inspiring, hopeful take on journeys of mental health.
Ultimately, the EP explores themes of mental health and the experiences of people looking for change. The EP is wonderfully constructed, taking inspiration from artists like Wet Leg and Rage Against the Machine, while simultaneously putting an As Rome Burns spin on things. I could not recommend anyone to listen to them more, hence why I have taken to writing this article. So please, I implore you, stream their music at least once, so you can have the experience of listening to the talent that every member in this band possesses.