Picture this - Instead of British band Placebo forming in London in 1994, the trio forms in Seattle in the early 90’s and becomes part of the Seattle grunge explosion.

Now picture this sound being replicated by 4 young guys from the Sunshine Coast, and you’ll pretty much understand what an awesome sound Take Anthia has.

These guys have a skillfully cunning way of putting songs together using pieces that sound familiar from other songs, without plagarising artists. It’s actually quite a knack.

The first song starts with guitar riff that instantly brings to mind The Living End’s song ‘All Torn Down’ before morhping into a very mid 90’s indie rock anthem that could sit very well on one of those quirky cult independent ‘coming-of-age’ movies from last decade. If only these guys had a Delorean converted into a time-machine, they could easily be launched into the big time very quickly.

Vocalist/guitarist Peter Simonsen has a voice so eerily much like Placebo’s Brian Molko, and the second track, ‘Flags’ really let’s his voice come into effect. A high-paced rock tune, just at the right tempo to become part of a mosh-friendly soundtrack.

What’s really distinct about Take Anthia’s sound is that they can be a heavy sounding band without all the typical metal/hard rock traits. The guitars aren’t too overdriven, the bass sits nicely in the mix, the vocals rely on melody instead of screaming (which it could easily do in parts), and the drums are left to power through with some technicality shown.

They know when to pull back in the song when needed, but also know when to make the song soar. Not an easy thing to do.

Third track on the Opinions EP, 'Two Hours Left', is without a doubt one of the favourites, and a very good example of that pulling back, then soaring technique, and there's a hook in the chorus that buries into your head (and was driving me nuts trying to figure out where I had heard it before, when I realised it made me think of Pearl Jam's The Fixer). It's a catchy-as-f*ck song.

'Cigarettes in Secrecy' is a slow-burner of a song. I have to admit, it's the song that didn't stick out a first, but give it a few listens and it all makes sense. It's the longest song on the CD, but as soon as it reaches that hook in the chorus I think you would understand the potential in this song. It's an mid-paced anthem, generated to be used as a sing along. Close your eyes, listen to the band, and you'll be right there with them.

The last song is their epic piece. The one with the massive vocals, with a little bit of a Wolfmother sound in there. A great set (and EP) closer, 'Meet Me In The Mirror' is a dark song, and is the first song that got me into this great band. There's a lot of grunge elements in this song, with your typical verse,chorus, verse structure, quietened down to a bridge and then the bigger closer.

Given how young these guys are, not just as a band but in age as well, they show rock song writing ability with a maturity well beyond their years, and I am looking forward to seeing them grow.

Keep the rock real, Take Anthia.

Rooster.