{"id":9991,"date":"2023-11-04T21:53:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-04T21:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=9991"},"modified":"2023-12-04T21:55:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T21:55:20","slug":"canadian-band-territories-return-with-another-essential-slice-of-melodic-punk-rock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=9991","title":{"rendered":"Canadian band Territories return with another essential slice of melodic punk rock"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ALBUM REVIEW: Territories – Colder Now (Pirates Press Records)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Territories <\/strong>were formed in the Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta, in 2015 by four ex-members of melodic punk rockers Knucklehead<\/strong>, who’d called it a day a couple of years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their self-titled debut album, full of thoughtful lyrics and compelling melodies, came out on Pirates Press Records in 2018, and I instantly fell in love with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gang mentality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

They seemed to have a real gang mentality, like The Clash did in my youth, and that debut album is one I’ve gone back to time and again over the last five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then they’ve released a six-song EP, When the Day is Done<\/em> (reviewed here<\/a><\/strong>), as well as a split 7in with fellow Canadians The Vicious Cycles<\/strong> (reviewed here<\/a><\/strong>), and the one-sided single Short Seller<\/em> (a playable vinyl CD!).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Territories consist of ex-members of melodic Canadian punks Knucklehead.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Now Territories have proved the first album was no fluke with a collection of 11 new songs just as good as the debut. In fact, frontman Kyle Hegel, guitarist Jimmy James, drummer Eric Jablonski and bassist Matt Young seem to be improving with age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colder Now<\/em> is a record full of infectious hooks and singalong choruses, and only one track (No Ball And Chain<\/em>) clocks in at more than three minutes, with most of them closer to two, and urgent opener Pacific Ghost not even reaching that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The album mixes personal issues such as searching for your tribe in a new place (Hello Outsider<\/em>) with broader societal themes, like struggling to find work in a dead-end town (The Company<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do It Alone<\/em> is a message of self-belief and empowerment, while lead single Superhero <\/em>is about stepping up to make a difference, and 7lbs Of Hope<\/em> is a new dad’s message to his poorly baby and its mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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