tethered – demo
London's tethered capture the cathartic nostalgia of the '90s emo movement and embodies the Revolution Summer's rebellious spirit with emotive, shouty vocals in a British accent.
Tethered, a bracing new quartet from London, UK, featuring members from bands like What Price, Wonderland? and Luxor Beam, introduces their fresh take on ’90s emotional hardcore with their first demo, released on tape by strictly no capital letters.
This five-track debut, recorded and mixed during the summer by Matthew Green at Head Cold Recording, draws heavy inspiration from cult acts like Policy of 3, Boilermaker, and Moss Icon, as well as the overall legacy of labels such as Ebullition, Dischord, and Gravity Records. While tethered embodies the cathartic nostalgia and yearning typical of the second emo wave of the ’90s, they also channel the rebellious spirit of the Revolution Summer, particularly through their shouty yet emotive vocals.
The guitar work in this demo is jangly yet dynamic, shifting seamlessly into mellower, melodic parts reminiscent of the less angsty emocore bands like Evergreen and The Autumn Year from the ’90s. The bass lines are strong and catchy, clearly influenced by similar bands, yet tethered’s rhythm section adopts a fresh, modern approach to composition that complements the often spastic guitar riffs, all underpinned by stellar production. The vocals, tinged with a quintessentially British accent, oscillate between sorrow and angst, perfectly capturing the emotional depth of the style. The beautifully-written, expressive esoteric lyrics are delivered with precision, encapsulating the conceptual essence of each track.
Thematically, the demo deals with introspection, addressing loneliness, nostalgia, personal hardships, and complicated relationships in a thoughtful, philosophical manner typical of the genre. At first glance, this release might seem like a perfect modern homage to emotive hardcore, yet a closer listen reveals guitar arrangements that occasionally echo the experimental work of Unwound, and both the rhythm section and vocals have a unique way of blending seamlessly into the overall sonic atmosphere. It’s an exceptionally strong start for a new band, transcending their influences to forge a refreshing addition to the genre. They’ve certainly set the bar high with this debut.
