Reviewed by Haydon Spenceley

As "Soul Collides" kicks into strident rifforamic action, and Marc James' rasping vocals begin to propel this powerful song, it is apparent that Verra Cruz mean business. The band formerly known as Dust, who released a string of well received EPs, now return with a new name and a push for further mainstream recognition than they have garnered thus far, aided by the plentiful production skills of Jason Corsaro, who worked with such grunge luminaries as Soundgarden in the '90s. "Soul Collides" has certainly given them a good start, gaining airplay on the prestigious American radio station K-ROQ and is now set for a mainstream release in the UK this summer. "Friend To You" begins with an almost funk rock riff before settling into a mid-tempo groove while "She Don't Want Him" has a pleasing radio-friendly feel. "Strange Food" is an incredible song with a great hook and insightful lyrics, as James calls war "a strange food for the hungry" over pulsating bass and drums from Nick Bright and Jimmy Cooke respectively. "Rise", the closer, is a semi-acoustic song, whose lyrics seem to focus on returning to God, a yearning expressed tacitly throughout the EP. All round, a great collection from a band going places.

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