ZACTHELOCUST are poised to release their breath-taking debut album, All I Am, which drops on Friday 30th August.
The band have also just unveiled their hooky new single and video, Lazy Days. Watch the video, here:
and listen to the track, and other here:
Born in 2019 and formed in the beautiful valleys of South Wales, ZACTHELOCUST originally started life as a solo endeavour created by guitarist Keryn Isaac. The project soon grew with long-time friend Robert Baulch keen to handle bass playing duties, and new friends Archie Holland and Ashley Turner arriving on lead guitar and drums. The four-piece diligently worked on their live set, but the songs needed a lift to take them to the next level. After a prolonged search for a lead vocalist, they eventually found Cory James. Upon his arrival, Cory became the perfect fit and brother to his band mates. He will be deeply missed by everyone within the band’s circle and the wider community.
Before Cory’s passing, ZACTHELOCUST completed work on their debut album, All I Am. Drawing from influences such as Green Day and Blink 182, as well as Metallica and Thin Lizzy, the album pulls from the craft and guile of alternative rock, and the hooky appeal of pop punk. From beginning to end, this massively alluring record is a stunning statement highlighting the band’s growing songwriting prowess. With a lyrical focus based around love, seizing the day, and extracting the most out of life, the album is as uplifting as it is skillful and powerful. With plans afoot for more future projects, this is a record and band that needs to be heard.
The album launch show will take place in Swansea at The Hanbury. For more detail about the venue and the show keep an eye on the band’s event PAGE and also the venues WEBSITE
Our review of the album:
Release date: August 30th 2024
Label: Independent
Genre: Pop Punk Rock
‘All I Am’ tracklisting:
1. Leap In Dark;
2. Trailblazer;
3. Take Me Away;
4. Hold On;
5. Golden State of Mind;
6. All I Am;
7. RazorBlades & Roses;
8. This is My Life;
9. Lazy Days;
10. Walking Free;
11. Sunshine In My Heart.
What once was a solo project by Keryn Isaac has blossomed into a 5 piece band from South Wales. With Robert Baulch (bass), Archie Holland (guitar) and Ashley Turner (drums) driving the sound, a search for a lead vocalist delivered Cory James to the band and this is the end result. A superb slice of pop punk from 5 people clearly raised on music from the late 90s / early 2000s when we were once upon a time allowed to have fun with life and we listened to Green Day, Blink 182, The Offspring and Sum 41. The band cite The Beatles and Metallica as influences in helping shape their sound as well and it’s clear the harmonies from the former and the crunch from the latter have filtered into the music in amongst that of their punk pop
idols.
If I had to pick one act that best sums them up though it would be to refer again to Sum 41. I can easily imagine ZacTheLocust jamming to ‘Fat Lip’ or ‘In Too Deep’ and nailing it every time. Just listen to ‘Take Me Away’ if you want proof.
‘Lazy Days’ is the latest single in advance of the album release and captures the feelings of just hanging out with your friends at the beach watching the sun go down. It’s a moving song and a great one to have as a single as the album release is a bittersweet moment as much as it is a collection of the hard work from the 5-piece. Back at the end of May 2024, lead vocalist Cory James passed away. One only has to look at the band’s bios to see it was far, far too soon and it has to be difficult for the lads to continue but Cory’s family have said they must and so we arrive at this point with both the album and ‘Lazy Days’ dedicated to Cory’s memory.
From the music alone, the band have a future, they write great west coast US college rock tunes and could hold their own with any of those types of bands mentioned above. If they can get past the loss of James and move on as he would want, they’ll go far.
Score 9/10
ADRIAN HEXTALL
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