A few months ago, F!TH made their frenzied debut to the Ottawa music scene with their no-holds-barred debut single “DEAD”. They’ve now returned with the same intensity and confidence in their debut, self-titled EP F!TH.
F!TH is a 5 piece hard rock group from Ottawa that began when roommates Zane Bean and Vinny Belle began to explore their shared love for music after having collaborated on a song from another of Zane’s musical projects Banezean. After finding the remaining members who would soon become F!TH, Alex Gregory, Max Gibson and Devon James, it was time for the process to truly begin.
F!TH had an overwhelmingly warm welcome to the Ottawa music scene with their debut single DEAD reaching over five thousand streams in under a month. This came alongside an exciting and professional music video shot by 3fiftyco, a local media production team that has been working with an increasing number of local bands.
Following this release, F!TH put out their second single Rock & A Hard Place, to similar acclaim.
Just over a month later, it was time for their first full project in the form of their self-titled EP, F!TH.
The EP begins with the previously released, Rock & A Hard Place.
Rock & A Hard Place is a chugging, heavy song that begins with a guitar riff reminiscent of past hard rock bands such as Sum 41 and Billy Talent. This follows into a chorus that demands to be screamed along with Vinny at the top of your lungs as he repeats the title of the song, “between a rock and a hard place”.
Two notable moments on this track are the direct reference to the 2008 album Hail Destroyer by Canadian Hardcore band Cancer Bats with the line “bang my head to hail destroyer”.
The bridge in Rock & A Hard Place seems to be a nod to the song Don’t Play by Turnstile, with a Latin drum beat and similar vocal melody.
It’s clear that F!th is alluding to the musicians who have influenced them, something that may not often be seen in rock music, but an effective move nonetheless.
Up next is the debut single DEAD. With a simple kick-snare intro, we’re immediately thrown head-first into a desperate and powerful fight song. Dealing with themes of class inequality and corruption within the Canadian systematic powers in place, it’s clear that F!TH brings more to the table than just a catchy song. Lines such as “working to the bone, I see you say it’s not enough, well what the fuck is enough? They’re killing people I love”, F!TH uses their music to stand tall on their convictions. Pair this with a painfully catchy chorus, and you have the recipe for an absolute powerhouse of a hard rock tune.
As we reach the third track of this EP, we come to the first song that will be brand new to listeners. Throwing Stones is a dark, strutting and anthemic song that feels like a call to arms. With thunderous bass and drums leading into a chorus, the song sounds like you can already hear stadiums of like-minded fans screaming along to the lyrics “NOW I SEE WHO YOU ARE”. Throwing Stones leans closer to a hardcore influence than the previous, more melodic tracks, which helps in demonstrating the band’s versatility.
To follow up Throwing Stones we have the atmospheric and gloomy track Winterlude. Most Canadians will be familiar with this name as they’re reminded of childhood memories of the iconic Canadian winter festival. F!TH have cleverly decided to use this name as a play on the term “interlude” meaning a short and transitional song on an album or EP.
Winterlude begins with a haunting guitar line that echoes and swirls like the snowy nights of Winterlude themself before Vinny’s voice comes in alongside sparse yet powerful drums to accentuate the drama and atmosphere of the track.
Finally, we come to the final track on this project, SAFE AND SOUND.
The song starts off like a bat out of hell with a pounding guitar riff that settles into a much more focused and calm verse. We’re quickly thrown into a chorus that carries the intensity that this EP began with, all the way to the very end. The chorus in question brings back the riff from the intro, alongside moving lyrics from frontman Vinny Belle.
SAFE AND SOUND also makes beautiful use of harmonies and backing vocals much like every other song on this album, which is an element that is typically, and unfortunately, lacking from many heavier bands.
As the final song comes to a close, you’re left with an intense yearning for more, which is always the mark of a fantastic debut project.
With a debut as intense, impactful and well-written as F!TH truly is, one can only look to the future with excitement as we wait to see where F!TH’s music will take them.
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