Thoughts Words Action: Zero Cost – Mouths To Feed CD EP (Engineer Records)

Zero Cost‘s new EP, Mouths To Feed, offers a compelling journey through the passionate landscape of modern melodic punk rock. Released under Engineer Records, this EP solidifies Zero Cost’s place in the contemporary punk scene while paying homage to the genre’s roots. With influences ranging from classic skate punk bands like Bad Religion, Pulley, NOFX, and The Descendents, Zero Cost has crafted a sound that bridges the gap between the energy of late 80s and 90s punk with modern melodic tendencies. From the moment the EP kicks off, it’s clear that Zero Cost excels at balancing speed and melody. The opening track, with its tight riffs and dynamic basslines, immediately grabs the listener’s attention. The band’s influences are evident, yet their sound is distinctly their own. The guitars are sharp and precise, echoing the skate punk tradition with a modern twist while the bass lines are prominent and robust, providing a powerful foundation that complements the frenetic drumming. In the meantime, the percussion is fast-paced, accentuated, and impeccably timed, driving the songs forward with an infectious energy that is impossible to ignore.

Vocally, Zero Cost delivers a melodic and gritty performance. The lead vocals are characterized by a polished delivery with the occasional distorted shouts that add depth and intensity to the tracks. This vocal style captures the essence of punk rock’s rebellious spirit while incorporating melodic sensibilities that appeal to a broader audience. The lyrics reflect themes of societal pressures, personal struggles, and the band’s observations of the world around them, delivered with a sense of compelling and relatable urgency. One of the standout tracks on the EP is “Mouths To Feed,” which showcases the band’s ability to seamlessly blend aggression and melody. The song features a driving rhythm section and an anthemic chorus that invites listeners to join in. The guitar work is particularly noteworthy, with intricate riffs that add layers of complexity to the track. Similarly, “No Way Home,” another highlight, offers a nod to the band’s influences while reinforcing their dedication to keeping the punk spirit alive. This track is a perfect representation of the band’s approach: taking classic elements of punk and infusing them with their unique perspective and energy.

Throughout the EP, Zero Cost demonstrates an impressive range, moving from high-octane anthems to more introspective pieces without losing momentum. The band’s ability to maintain a cohesive sound while exploring different facets of punk rock exemplifies their musical prowess and understanding of the genre. Their music is characterized by a rawness and power that harkens back to the punk scenes of both the US and UK scenes, yet they manage to create a sound that feels fresh and relevant in today’s musical landscape. The production deserves special mention, as it perfectly captures the intensity and energy of Zero Cost’s live performances. Each instrument is given room to shine, contributing to the EP’s full-bodied sound. The production enhances the band’s dynamic range, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the intricacies of each track. Engineer Records has done an excellent job of presenting Zero Cost in its best light, ensuring that the EP will resonate with both new and long-time melodic punk rock fans. Zero Cost’s Mouths To Feed is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the punk rock energy and ethos. It exemplifies their talent and dedication to their craft, offering a blend of nostalgia and modernity that is sure to resonate with fans. By combining influences from both sides of the Atlantic, Zero Cost has created a sound that is uniquely their own, promising a bright future in the punk rock scene. With this release, they have firmly established themselves as a band to watch, and listeners will undoubtedly be eager to see what they have in store next. Head to Engineer Records for more information about ordering.

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Local Sound Focus: http://localsoundfocus.com/ep-review-zero-cost-mouths-to-feed/

What I really like about Hull punk band Zero Cost is that they write great original style punk songs; songs that are about things, about social issues and modern life. This wouldn’t mean anything if they didn’t make some damn music and they do.

Charging straight in, the EP title track, ‘Mouths To Feed’ is all raucous hard guitar and breakneck vocals. If I hear it properly – something not 100% guaranteed – it lyrically addresses the ‘mouths’ of the capitalist system against the mouths of the workers. The system eating up and spitting out the workers, while the working people are forced into working for the system. In short, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. What I need to highlight here is whilst it is all raucous guitar there’s a lot of subtle musical touches going on here. Powerful stuff.

‘The Test’ is another breakneck track. But here the band show off their ability to chang e it up. While you may feel the track is going to be all frantically paced, sudden;y they throw in a melodic bit (for want of better phrase). And it’s this that does it for me; it’s the fact that they step out of what you may have expected. Musical surprise is always good,

‘No Way Home’ changes it up. It majors in tunes without, and this is the key, losing the raucous feel. And bloody hell there’s a brillant guitar solo – short and very sweet.

‘Red or Blue’ tackles the upcoming UK and US elections. you might be asking yourself ‘ is this a protest song, a commentary or a call for action?’ It’s actually all three of these. It – if I’m hearing it right – basically calls out both the Left and Right for being ‘the same old same old. And the sound? In a phrase old style punk; breakneck speed, fast throbbing bass, spiky guitars. But it’s clever you see, this is no overwhelming wall of sound, you can hear ALL the instruments, there’s space in the sound. And this gives it power. It sounds fantastic, you got that. Spot on in topic and music, couldn’t ask for anything better.

‘Fidem Ludum’. Well first an explanation, ‘finem ludum’ means end game in Latin (yes, I said Latin) and the song addresses how close we are to a global catastrophic disaster – war and global warning for example. The line ‘100 seconds to midnight’ refers to the time set on the Doomsday Clock – the less time to midnight it is the closer the world is to a possible end. Although originally based on the chances of nuclear conflict, the setting of the Doomsday Clock now includes other factors such as global warning. So this is very much a song for our time. Musically, when I reviewed this as a single I called it out and out mekodic punk, but on a relisten I’m going to change my mind. Yep, there is melodic punk but what makes this track is the touches of punky post-punk – here that scratchy guitar, that big backing vocal, that rolling bass and the searing ringing guitar. An utterly fantastic thing.

And to conclude ‘Eviction Notice’. Oh fuck what they doing to me. They’ve taken their punk sound and melded it with metal. what I can only describe as distopia soundscapes. And made something musically mind blowing. My mind is in bits. Two words to the wise – one this isn’t about what you may have have assumed and two, it doesn’t end when you think it had.

‘Mouths To Feed’ is a set of songs that make a powerful statement. Musically it stretches the envelope of what punk and melodic punk can be; it’s inventive, unexpected and takes your breath away. If you’re a fan of raw, raucous guitars, words with a message and bands who make their own sound; listen to this, listen to this right now.​

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Local Sound Focus: https://personalpunk.wordpress.com/2024/07

A band “raised on a steady diet of Bad Religion, NOFX and The Descendents” might struggle to be heard amid a glut of soundalikes. Anthemic choruses and political lyrics wedded to speedy skate-punk will help the cause, but I reckon it’s their East Yorkshire location, specifically Hull, that really feeds into ZERO COST’s standoutability. A vocal delivery reminiscent of TERMINUS‘ Mark Richardson – a band known for rollicking political punk hailing from over the bridge in Scunthorpe – lends an ingredient that sets them apart. Incidentally, both bands are/were unashamed about their use of guitar solos, further adding to a sense of connection. While No Way Home may start like a Dookie outtake, you quickly realise you’re listening to a sharp, punk anthem for the downtrodden, a veritable power-ballad, albeit one with gang shouts and Northern accents. The ghost of TERMINUS returns, never more so than on final track Eviction Notice, though its angry chant is all their own, and Red Or Blue‘s impressive soloing and a wonderfully busy bass. Mouths To Feed and The Test are spirited skate-punk tracks, but they really excel on the likes of Finem Ludum‘s free-wheeling chunk, taking a righteous stab at climate change deniers in the process.

 

The vocals could do to take a step back in the mix but the production is crunchy, as befitting ZERO COSTS’s tight musicianship; guitar solos, frenetic bass, and confident, solid drumming. Throw in that unique vocal style and Mouths To Feed is a refreshingly prickly addition to the skate-punk sandbox.