Review – The After Affect A Thousand Voices Music Reviews by Editor - May 9, 20120 The After Affect is a British five piece metal band who came together through a mutual appreciation of the same music and sharing musical ideas. A group of friends doing what they enjoy; being loud, banging the hell out of their instruments and creating a sound that’s current.[pullquote]heavy instruments, screaming lyrics with all the passion and capability to commit staying power.[/pullquote] With a strong local following after continual gigging, their hard work is paying off. Having won Reading’s Battle of the Bands in 2010 and headlined the Live Club stage at Guilfest 2011, it is clear that they have developed a sound that they are comfortable with, and so it’s no surprise that they have also won one of BBC Introducing unsigned talent contests. The After Affect have now recorded their new single, A Thousand Voices; a powerful sound with passionate angst. It sounds like something I’ve already heard before, but this isn’t necessarily a negative because it shows them as accomplished. A Thousand Voices is dynamic, starting off in a medium tempo and remaining constant until the bridge. It is fitting for the lyrics and almost reflective, but then we’re taken into the bridge a punchy and fierce change of rhythm and tempo. The lead singer’s intensity of voice, screaming his way through to a conclusion, passionate and strong as the rest of the band punctuate this turbulence, thrashing at their instruments. The band play their instruments very well and the lead singer is a dominant presence, completely in control but letting go at the right moments to create what they intended, a hard hitting, good song. The EP also features two other songs, It’s our Time and Looking for an Exit. The latter doesn’t quite have the catchiness of the A Thousand Voices but the harmonies are clearer at the start and the rhythms more varied. The After Affect is the kind of band that would get a crowd going, if this was your music of choice. The energy in their music and the way they handle their sound, embracing what they’ve developed over the years to provide prevailing rock metal. A Thousand Voices sound less like a debut and more like it’s already been around for a while- this band undoubtedly fit their genre. Alternative rock metal of the TV channel Scuzz generation; heavy instruments, screaming lyrics with all the passion and capability to commit staying power.