Some of the best hardcore, punk rock, and alternative bands cut their teeth in the vast and sprawling frontier that is Texas. Whether you’re a fan of the spastic and punky At the Drive-In, enjoy the melodic metal sound of Pantera, or headbang along to doom metal from The Sword, all these bands share Texas roots as an interconnecting thread. Beyond Reach, hailing from Austin and Corpus Christi, Texas, have recently released their self-titled EP and are ready to add their own flavor of hardcore to the massive scene in their home state.
“Call It What It Is” is the opening track from their EP, and from the first guitar riff in a harmonic minor mode, they immediately caught my attention. It’s refreshing when a band successfully uses scales and modes that evoke a sense of adventure, and Beyond Reach does exactly that on this initial recording. All the instruments are tight, the song’s form is strong, and the breakdown references the band’s namesake. The lead singer, Brandon Jimenez, chants in his baritone scream: You had your chance to make things right. Took too long, now the door’s too tight. It’s Beyond Reach.
“Call It What It Is” begs for all the quintessential two-stepping, headbanging, windmill kicking, and circle pit thrashing you can imagine. These guys sound great live in local venues, but I can tell that they would sound killer on larger club and festival stages.
Catch Beyond Reach performing live around Austin, Texas and listen to “Call It What It Is” in our Bangers of the Week Playlist!
The Indy Review 