from ccmreviews.com
Rock music is currently dominated by your Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach and Linkin Park, but this domination has overshadowed some pretty impressive bands. Perhaps the most impressive of them all is a band from our very own Bristol, Sunna.
Following the recent wave of "nu rock" bands, Sunna combine the heavy hand of rock with the sampling desk of a DJ (in this case, a guy called Flatline). On the first listening, it's hard to believe that singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Harris actually played on Massive Attack's Mezzanine. The pure intensity of the guitar-driven tracks leave no room for any funky hip-hop beats and even the sampling has a rock-edge to it. Harris' companions on this record are Ian MacLaren, Flatline, Richie Mills and Shane Goodwin.
Although Harris' inspirations include the god-like Kurt Cobain, there are few references or similarities in the music, which is quite refreshing indeed. However, there are a few number of times when Harris' vocals are reminiscent of Cobain's mellower tracks.
1.I'm Not Trading. A very powerful eerie opener with a chorus that's both disturbing and calming. "I don't like you and I never will." 7/10
2.Preoccupation. The first mellow song on the album. The guitar is harmonised by a melancholic cello. The chorus is quite beautiful. "You run your preoccupation and burn the wrong sensation. And stop learning there." 8/10
3.Power Struggle. The sample of wasps (featured in the video - well worth watching) leads you into a powerful guitar-driven rock anthem. Overpowering and disturbing, again. 9/10
4.I Miss. Here we see how far Harris' vocal chords can stretch. The contrast of highs and lows, power and submission make this a 9/10
5.Insanity Pulse. The bass, guitar and screaming vocals fuse to make Insanity Pulse. While the contrasting vocals are intriguing, it's not the easiest of songs to listen to. 6/10
6.Too Much. A reflective number about drug abuse, stress and the effects of low self-esteem. Perhaps best summed up in the chorus: "Keep all we got or give up something". 7/10
7.OD. Frequent references to water and drowning in the lyrics are mirrored by the water effects behind the music. The song builds up to a climax of distortion and confusion. 8/10
8.Forlorn. A beautiful combination of special effects and a horn section. This is a gentle song, much like the title. 9/10
9.Grape. Coughing and groaning in the background. Your quiet verse - loud chorus - quiet verse type of song, but it's immensely powerful. 9/10
10.One Conditioning. It's like a lullaby at first with the glockenspiel in the foreground. But the soothing vocals build up to a screaming "I'm just a child." It's powerful. 7/10
11.7%. Your standard guitar and vocals - but extremely beautiful. Arguably the best song on the album. 9/10
G-String
92%