EP Review Formato Audio Komprensivo, FAK 2010 By L.K Weston (Birmingham)

EP Review Formato Audio Komprensivo, FAK 2010.

By L.K Weston

The Lowdown:

Part of the Italian underground scene since 2008, Formato Audio Komprensivo relocated to London in 2010, to showcase their music to a wider audience, playing live across various venues including Islington’s Zenith Bar, and The Fiddler’s Elbow in Westminster. This year sees the release their first four-track EP, ‘FAK 2010,’

Lead by singer and guitarist Saro St, FAK are an impressive blend of rock and grunge, reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in Chains, but with a pleasing fresh twist thanks to the frontman’s vocals, and the considerable abilities of fellow guitarist Steve, bassist Lucio Ih and drummer Tonio.

Loud these boys may be, but when it sounds like this, you won’t mind too much. If you want meek and mild, submerge yourself in Radio 2, if you’re after music with genuine energy and a fair amount of potential, then read on.

The Tracks:

My Rules: That energy I was talking about? It’s right here. A great opening track that builds as the song progresses. The vocals alternate between shades of Vedder and Kiedis, but it’s the drums and guitar that really sell it. Definitely one for when the sun’s out and the windows are down. It wouldn’t sound out of place on the soundtrack for a skater film.

Fak Me: Right from the opening seconds, you can imagine this playing well live, because it begins as something akin to a classic lighters up torchsong and ends up somewhere entirely different, namely, a mosh pit. There’s a raw quality to the vocals that really comes through, and makes the song into something of a musical journey all on its own.

Poison True: Have you ever listened to a song and thought how great it’d be as the theme tune for a TV show? Well, fair reader, for me this song gets that accolade. It’s perfect for something gothic and dark – no sparkling vampires please – because that’s exactly what it sounds like. This is the musical equivalent of a hurricane and an anthem if ever I heard one.

Something New Today: Another sweeping track, which is, in many ways, something of a compliment to ‘Poison True,’ that has a rather beautiful emotional rawness to it raw quality to it thanks to the vocals and the mood of the song as a whole. A fine way to close the EP and definitely leaves you wanting more.

The Verdict:

A solid debut EP from a talented band who clearly have a lot to give. Fans of grunge and rock alike will find something here, and for those of you hankering for something different that goes against the mainstream tide then give this a listen. Your ears will thank you.