Bastions – Majestic Desolation
Release Date: 29th July 2022
Label: Church Road Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Darkened Hardcore
FFO: Hang the Bastard, Dead Swans, Pariso.
Review By: Ryan Payne
After a long 8 years from since their last release, Bastions are back with their sophomore album “Majestic Desolation”, bringing their iconic blend of darkened-hardcore back with a vengeance. The 2nd release from the Welsh quartet shows the band sticking to their unique sound that originally made them break through to the scene, as well as adding some newer elements, keeping the sound fresh and a blessing to hear.
The album shows a unique display of musicianship, haunting rung out guitar melodies by Jamie McDonald that gives Bastions their signature darkened tone, blended with thumping bass from Gareth Davies and drums from Kieran Brindley that really bring everything to life with every hit. The band almost have a more doom feel about them as every song is not as fast as other hardcore bands, but what they lack in speed, they make up for in aggression and that’s what really gives these guys the edge. It’s refreshing to hear a band take a different approach with hardcore, and even better to hear it done in such a unique way that really makes the band stand out from the rest of the genre. The way tracks like “Haar” and “Slithering” build up anticipation for the tracks that follow them, really bring the album together, making every track feel like they belong together.
Jamie Burns vocals throughout are very consistent and controlled throughout the record. He doesn’t display much, if any, range throughout “Majestic Desolation” but I think it’s fair to say that in this situation, less is more. For a band that is fairly unique with their musical ability, drowning it out with vocals that are attempting anything other than what Jamie has would just ruin the artistry of this album.
Bastions are not a band I have heard of before, but listening through this record, it’s very easy to see why they were a band to watch for back in 2011, when they dropped their debut album “Hospital Covers”. Now 11 years has passed since then and these boys are ready to do the exact same thing with this album. The unique blend of genres and the sheer aggressiveness it displays will certainly turn a lot of heads and wake up some of the old fans. With the signing to Church Road Records, this band is only going to go even further, and I’m excited to see what happens when “Majestic Desolation” drops on 29th July. 
(4 / 5)
