Since 2015 InTechnicolour have become one of the absolute staples of the UK underground scene. From their base in Brighton playing Bad Pond Festival to going out on tour with other ever exhilarating acts such as Haggard Cat, Alpha Male Tea Party and Bitch Falcon (RIP), they have contributed to the ever-bubbling cauldron of sound. Post their excellent debut Big Sleeper, released right as the world soon went into lockdown, Midnight Heavyweight was crafted during the struggle thereafter. Many of the emotions purveyed through vocalist Tobie Anderson’s lyrics, a lot that we all continue to deal with.
Opener ‘Bloodmoon Shine’ is the exhalation of those feelings. The opening riff and beat shuffling as it bursts into almost heavenly calls of ‘Take me’. Exploding with pain as vocalist Tobie screams through the final bars. Follower, ‘The Wave’ is an exemplary pointer to what they are all about. A starter of disjointed riffs with small tasters of end of bar guitar licks complimented with grunge era vocals. Spat out the other end through both atmospheric and heavier moments. All their intricacies come rawness are on show here. ‘Something beautiful this way comes’ bellowed out. This track is clear statement of that.
‘Tokyo Dream’ is a beautiful winding ballad that is a sign of their development in their song writing. The simplicity, but layering helped along by Engineer/Producer Mark Roberts really come to the fore. Texturing is much more important in these less sonically intense moments than when they are their heaviest. Which is even more apparent in interlude tracks like ‘Wake Up Dead Man’. Serving a purpose to bring the whole record together, rather than become dreaded filler tracks.
“This is a solemn and reflective moment”
‘Corner Of Time In The World’ is another delicate and soothing yet troublesome part. The line ‘One of these days I will get some rest’, as forthright and simple as it is, the delivery hits. Inspiration from the likes of Mark Lanegan is probably not amiss. This is a solemn and reflective moment.
Those slower moments are balanced well with songs like ‘Turn it Loose’, which comes at a bounding pace. Creating juxtaposition with the upturn of rhythm and expansive sound against the lyrics ‘I exist no more’ which promptly ground the listener. ‘Fever Queen’ emanates more energy with the fuzz laden riffs and soaring pre-choruses but points to the murkiness of the world around us. ‘My heroes mouldy and lifeless’ a thinking point for all those we look up to that may not be all that they seem. Maybe a valid point that the great bands in the underground should be taking over from some of the ‘rockstars’ that have lost their ways and have pumped out less than inspiring music recently.
InTechnicolour overall have crafted a more accomplished record than (their still excellent) debut Big Sleeper. From themes to more developed writing, even the sequencing of the tracks, this is a well thought out record. It is elegant yet powerful like a soaring sparrow hawk. Emotionally raw and reflective yet sounding as sweet a ShakeAway milkshake (if you are in Brighton pick one of those up, they are worth the peak in sugar levels). Catch them on tour with their Small Pond label mates Skin Failure this month across the country for what looks to be an exciting double header of UK’s underground heavy music scene.