Sondura - Live Before You Die

Being compared to Nickelback may not give a bands credibility much of a lift but London-based quartet Sondura have unleashed a melody-driven debut to be proud of.

The vocals from Tom Watson interlace with the guitars of brother Jack, providing the album a confident and effective spine throughout, ensuring every song belongs. The production is ripe and does its job, helping the album sound as good as it can.

Album opener 'Live before you die' mixes a driving Black Stone Cherry-style riff with a harder edged heaviness making it clear that this band do more than radio friendly. The songs on display here get straight to the point, with each chorus hitting home quicker than most albums, the likes of 'Scars' proving this early on.

The beautifully constructed and Alter Bridge inspired 'Falling free' is a standout track, its soaring chorus deserving to be all over the radio. You can hear a few thousand fans singing this back at the summer festivals already.

Sondura may have already planted the seeds with their earlier E.P and the sampler that went out with an issue of Metal Hammer, but it is this album that could see them begin a rise through the ranks. This is a solid enough debut which hints at a better future.

http://www.myspace.com/sondura