MetalBite Review by JD on 7/30/2008

I always am more than just a little sceptical when a band has an ‘industrial’ tag slapped onto them. Most bands with that sort of tag don’t even get my attention normally, being a straight through metalhead like I am. Saying that, this four piece powerhouse from South England, did honestly grab me... then they proceeded to slap me numerously and forced my full attention straight onto them.

Layered synths start to create such an ethereal backing vibe, and all under some of the most impressive and mind blowing guitars and bass sounds. These men and their six string assaults jump from being furiously grinding to goosebump inducing melodic breaks that made me take even more notice.

Topping things off just right, Paul Sparkes vocal abilities were simply dazzling, as he added just the right amount of grit yet true clarity into a band that positively was oozing over with talent and raw power. Lyrically, these guys created so much with so little, never once relying exclusively on either the words or music... they set to work with both and let it all do the talking.

I was impressed as hell, so much that they made a Galvanic fan out of me. Raise the horns and hold them in the air. Industrial Metal seems to have founds their own version of Metallica.. They are a breath of fresh air.

http://metalbite.com/tracks.asp?album=7336

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 Loucifer Speaks Album Review - 08/04/2008 - 7/10

With "Legacy Chain" Galvanic have launched a 5 pronged attack on the senses. The album is littered with catchy melodies and soon-to-be-classic riffs. The industrial edge makes Galvanic stand out from the masses of melodic metal bands around at the moment.

The album appears to be very well thought-out and there are brilliant little touches here and there - the end of "Insufferable" should be mentioned here, as should the spoken intro to the title track and the whole of "Vexation" and "Unison".

The album isn’t perfect (at times I wasn’t overly keen on the lyrics, but that may just be me), but it’s definitely a good start. The songs in general are great, the production is top notch, the vocals varied (variety is the spice of life!) and the musicianship is brilliant. While there is still room for improvement, I’d still highly recommend this release. With "Legacy Chain" Galvanic have achieved what many bands hope to do with their 2nd or 3rd album - make a record that’s highly memorable and instantly accessible - but they’ve managed to do it with their first.

http://www.louciferspeaks.com/cdreview2/galvanic.html

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Bruce Dickinson Rock Show - Feb 2008 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/bruce_dickinson)

"[A] four piece who deal in thick slabs of industrial-flavoured metal.Their debut album Legacy Chain is pretty impressive...these guys have done a great job. They have indeed!"

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Review by Terrorizer Magazine - Feb 2008  (http://www.terrorizer.com/)

Descending in a firestorm of synths and driving percussion, Surrey newcomers Galvanic are aiming to forge their legacy with an epic, industrial tinged sound that recalls a certain lank haired, omniscient Canadian. As galvanising as taking a shower in pure caffeine.
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Album Review by Toxic Pete (http://www.toxicpete.co.uk)

Galvanic don't stop at just developing a wall of sound via guitars, bass and drums, oh no, they go on and lay down a monstrous synth backdrop that reminds me of To-Mera (but slightly less complex maybe!!). The occasional female vocals that vie for leadership add that slight Goth twist and when it all comes together it's an amazing heavy vibe with classic rock undercurrents and epic, anthemic sounding songs. As I listen, the incessant drums are practically knocking me off my chair, the throbbin' bass work blows me one way and the massive guitar riffs pull me another. As my head becomes suitably scrambled by these 'babes' with their conventional musical armoury they contrive to throw in the massive walls of synth 'orchestrated' sound that just about puts me on my back with its compelling eeriness and breathtaking effect. Splendid stuff - dark, gritty, brash and at times more than a bit challenging but always nerve-tinglingly interesting and occasionally bowel-openingly scary!!

Galvanic keep the vocals nicely under control and in the main the lyrics are therefore accessible and mostly sing-along-to-able - I know that's probably not metal pc at the moment but for me accessibility and clarity maketh the band - I don't go a lot on the totally screamin, wailin' noise that some metal outfits rely so heavily on so Galvanic come as a rather pleasant change - and hey, they're good and 'Legacy Chain' is an awesome piece of work!!

'Legacy Chain' by Galvanic wasn't quite what I thought it would be coz, thankfully, Galvanic make their metal work on several fronts that many others only just get away with or spoil through incomprehensible histrionic vocalisation; Galvanic don't totally default to any of that thrash trash or metal mayhem - they've put loads of thought into the writing/composition and they work as a solid unit to bring out the best in their excellent songs. Dark - certainly. Sinister - slightly. Melodic - always. Entertaining - doubtless.  Enjoyable - surely.  Rewarding - priceless!!  Great album from a brilliant band!

Peter J Brown aka toxic pete  - Feb 2008

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Friday, November 16, 2007 Gig Reviews Tumbledown Dick - Farnborough (11/08/2007)

And so it falls to synth wielding industrialists Galvanic to whip up some sort of storm. Theirs is a powerful juddering blend of Devin Townsend and Ministry but its difficult not to forgive their foot stomping, over confident singer for his crimes against posturing.


Rob Bealey - Kerrang Magazine - 22 Aug 2007 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Cellar Bar, Bracknell - Sunday 21st Oct 2007

Galvanic are an unsigned metal band fronted by a new vocalist, Paul Sparkes. The band have only had one previous gig with Paul on vocals, but that was good enough to see them reviewed in Kerrang as 'synth wielding industrialists' who play 'a powerful juddering blend of Devin Townsend and Ministry'. By the time the stage had been cleared and Galvanic had set up there were still quite a few kids hanging around, along with the other bands who had stayed to watch. This was a good sign and I couldn't help wondering if they had any idea what they were in for! As soon as Galvanic started playing it was obvious that this was a major change of pace (and volume) for the evening. For the first couple of tracks everyone in the audience had sat back down so it was over to Paul to try and generate some audience involvement. The promise of free cd's for the best headbangers seemed to do the trick... it even led to a couple of mini mosh pits! Galvanic played with the ability of a band who've been together a long time, and you could be forgiven for thinking Paul was the only vocalist they'd ever had, such was his confidence and stage presence. In all, it was a good night and a great second gig for the band.

By Stu

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Tumbledown Dick - Farnborough (08/11/2007)

This is what modern heavy music should be aspiring to - monstrously heavy but harmonically rich music. In keeping with the (unofficial) Heavy Metal feel to the night, the synths are stripped back, and so we are treated to an awesome display of technicals; power; and songs – epic in scope but without a shred of excess flab. A drummer who sounds like two drummers soloing in different time signatures (in a good way)! Bass and guitar alternating between coruscating riffage and breathtaking soundscapes…and…yes…you heard that correctly, a singer. An urgent, modern (not Nu) sound that is destined to be massive. The earlier nubile, no doubt hunting down Scars of Correction's singer, passes again and points out that you can hum their music. Again, the singer builds an instant rapport with the audience by the end of the first song, and his appeal for headbanging results in more synchronised headbanging from Karrion's front line. Great stuff, and he is in and out of the audience for the rest of the set. What a night. Three really good bands, and the jaw-dropping Galvanic.

By the Hobgoblin

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The Tumbledown Dick - 8th Nov 2007

A local metal band followed by the name of Galvanic who have not even been together a year and yet are so tight and confident it's untrue. I think simply referring to them as 'metal' does them a disservice and 'epic' might be a more apt descriptor! Most unusually they do not have a 'real' bass drum, but have two electronic bass drums instead - that took a little getting used to, but they sounded so good that it didn't really matter. Definitely worth checking out if you get the chance.

Read the full review here: http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/leisure/leisurehome/display.var.1836157.0.review_live_music_tumbledown_dick_farnborough.php

Neil Duncan - The Basingstoke Gazette