REVIEW: District 13 - Step Into The Fire
The latest album from the rock trio, birthed out of London, who are taking on the big stages.
Photo credit: District 13
District 13 is a heavy alternative rock band based in London consisting of Jon Wild (vocals/guitar), Alessio Barba (bass) and Asen Milushev (drums). Their sound is a combination of Heavy Metal and Punk and have been described as a cross between Black Sabbath and The Ramones. Highlights for District 13 include performing at the “Hills of Rock” festival in Bulgaria in 2018 and 2022; this festival was headlined by Judas Priest and Iron Maiden (2018), and Slipknot, Sabaton and Mercyful Fate (2022).
Their 2023 album “Step Into The Fire” is a whopping 14-track collective showcasing the bands true range.
First up is the album titled track “Step Into The Fire”, and here we’re taking this as an invitation into the record. The guitars have some attitude to them, which sets you up. Then come in the vocals, and honestly they’re really complimentary and harmonious. There’s a smoothness to the vocals that generates a mellow yet punchy vibe. The chorus matches the verses too, and the transition is seamless. There’s also some power guitar shredding in here that makes the song a lot rockier. It’s like if Kings of Leon’s “Sex On Fire” era took a big dose of Download Festival and adorned a bandana. It’s seen things.
Next mention is “Emotive Addiction”, which at first seemed a little bit like System of a Down or Korn. This feeling carried some undertones into the verse, but the vocals gave a different sound altogether - one that is theirs.
“Goodbye” was a favourite off of the album. It stood out, and tapped into a much more mellow and emotive place. The guitar in it flows really well, the vocals don’t deviate from the core of the song, and there’s a genuine rock n roll sound (especially at 3:16). It’s nice to feel like those true rock guitar solos might be making a comeback, and haven’t just lived and died with Aerosmith and Guns N Roses.
Final track “Forever This Way” was a good choice to end the album. It’s softer, and brings us back to those melancholic notes. It’s narrative strong, and leaves you feeling like you’ve sampled a lot from the band in the one hour and six minutes “Step Into The Fire” has you for.
Photo credit: District 13
The band are also currently crowdfunding to help cover the costs of their upcoming tour with Austrian band Mother’s Cake!. Contributions will go towards travel, gear vans, accommodation, marketing, merch, sound and light engineers, recording, and everything else needed to make the tour happen.
As a thank you, they’ll include your name (or your company’s name and logo) in the credits of the professionally filmed video from their London show on the tour, as well as in the music video for their upcoming single, set to be released in November - a collaboration with vocalist J Hurley of Hacktivist.
The crowdfunder can be found here.
Band links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1SfAH09g4o4YzcfYPRNNab?si=xQvNP_qVSOSmJJUOhRHGqA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/District_13_band/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/district13band/
Image credit: District 13
All in all, it’s a great alt rock album. There’s guitar shredding, there’s power vocals, there’s some cool artwork…it’s an all-round solid record for those that want some new age classics.
Reviewed by: Courtney
Score: 7/10