Setting Fire To Stacey have set about tearing up local venues and radiowaves since their conception in 2012, with multiple tours, radio singles, and most recently this debut EP entitled ‘Love and War’. Produced by veteran Kiwi rocker Paul Matthews (Stylus, I Am Giant), this EP is as good a first up offering from a band as you’re likely to find. Opening track Damn Word sets the tone with crisp production, a compelling groove and soaring vocals. Adept songwriting and soaring vocal melody lines highlight this track from a compositional perspective, the parts building toward an anthemic chorus before giving way to an expansive, building bridge section. No Way Out provided the Christchurch five-piece hard rock act’s first nugget of radio success, and the thumping rhythms and complex guitar arrangements underpinning clinically executed vocal melodies make it evident why. Vital Signs unveils a more introspective side of the band, featuring a chorus that feels like the result of a key change but still goes down smooth, complete with vocal lines you can sink your teeth into, and emotionally charged lyrics. Love and War charges along with catapulting rhythms and another big chorus before Final Bullet slams home what this band is all about – huge production, lingering melodies, destructive guitar lines and an unrelenting rhythm section – delivered with the precision of a surgeon and the force of a 10 tonne truck.