There is often a sense of trepidation that arises when first pressing play on an album that can be simply described as ‘rock’. Such a broad categorisation can be a sign of a lack of both identity and authenticity. Thankfully, as soon as the riff to opening track ‘Flawless’ kicks in, it’s clear that this is not the case with The Alchemy and their sophomore album Idle Ghosts.
Since bursting onto the scene way back in 2005 at the height of the screamo era, the band have been honing their musicianship and songwriting, and have now produced a follow-up to the 2018’s lauded Sapere Aude.
They aren’t necessarily reinventing the wheel here, with plenty of other bands providing similar types of music, but what Trapped may lack in originality it makes up for in pit-worthy bangers. Everyone loves a bit of hardcore, and TARLD have a knack for being able to mix driving guitars and rhythms with infectious chorus melody lines.
Static Dress seem to be one of those bands that kicked the door down out of nowhere. One minute you’ve never heard of them, and the next they’re popping up everywhere you look. Looking back over the course of the band’s discography, it’s clear that the band have come a long way since their debut release. Since their first single in 2019 ‘Dsc_301’ the band have released a steady flow of material skipped straight past any sign of a traditional EP and diving headlong into a warped cacophony of full length records. Their debut Prologue…(Comic Book Soundtrack) was a spectacle for sure, but it’s their most recent release that really establishes the project as something special.
Rouge Carpet Disaster is chaos embodied. 12 tracks of depth, raw emotion and intense guitar tones all hand picked and crafted into one very unique package – a post hardcore rollercoaster. The record’s opener ‘Fleahouse’ is a pleasant introduction but don’t let yourself be fooled, as ‘Sweet’ quickly sets the pretense for the rest of the album to come. First released as a single in June 2021 the track has already become a fan favorite, but still has some fierce competition. There is a distinct theme of self destructive catharsis throughout the record’s narrative, and each track instantly enforces an intense focus from yourself as the listener. There has clearly been a well defined thought process through the entire creative process. Each song track contains something new and exciting, and the way the tracklisting is arranged makes the variation of intensity seem all the more surprising when it hits. ‘Attempt 8’ is far from the heaviest track on the album – but it is definitely one of the most captivating. The two minute spectacle gives time for us to sit back, take stock of the content we’ve just received before bursting straight back into gear with ‘Courntey, Just Relax’ with some of the quartet’s most brutal material to date.
Enigmatic and shrouded in mystery, the debut album Crusaders Of Joy from anonymous project bigLOVE is an ode to the experimental nature and abundance of space within doom and sludge metal. Alongside this are themes revolving around taking in the love and wonder of the world around us with unconditional devotion. Crusaders Of Joy encourages you step back and take in what’s around you. In a time where immediate connections are everywhere and there is a sharp rose in a great spiritual disconnect, bigLOVE have harnessed the weight power of doom and sludge to bring forth their philosophy of love and devotion, ultimately leaving you with the realisation that we are part of nature and not separate from it.
Whilst the juxtaposition of grim, atmospheric sludge and devotional lyrics to nature does’t seem like a natural fit for most people, but this creative expression is actually pretty wholesome. bigLOVE have created a deeply atmospheric soundscape that is ideal for gazing at sunsets on a hill, breathing in the cool air and taking in the vastness of the world. There is room for deep, thoughtful contemplation as Crusaders Of Joy wraps around you like a warm, fuzz soaked blanket, with the instinctive creation of the album it aids this concept in earnest. To avoid any unnecessary self-scrutiny that comes with modern songwriting and production, bigLOVE recorded Crusaders Of Joy as it was being written. This unrestricted creative flow shines through, as the album naturally pieces itself together as various elements gradually fall into place. As a result of this creative method, the album has an innate ebb and flow that is incredibly easy to vibe with. In many ways Crusaders Of Joy entrancing and unearthly, yet it feels grounded in something older than itself. Tapping into a new spiritual connection that strikes to the very heart of your primal soul.
True to its name, the album did take its time to materialise, teased by a string of singles in the run up to it before releasing it on an anticipating world. The good news is, All In Good Time was worth waiting for; over the span of forty minutes, Giant Walker showcase a knack for polyrhythmic drumming, stop-start riffing and soaring vocals that tie it all together as the band explore themes of self-isolation and disconnect.
Opener ‘The Fact In Fiction’ sets out the band’s stall near immediately; its off-kilter guitars and oddball drumming are disorienting but vocalist Steff Fish deftly guides the song to its chorus. It’s an emotional crescendo that should sound at odds given the seemingly vast change in time signature but instead slots in neatly thanks to the band’s innate knack for emotional storytelling through song construction as much as melody, the bug-eyed anxiety in the verses giving way to a melancholic introspection.
If you have caught the quartet live you will know they have slotted in well amongst amidst stalwarts of the noisier and abrasive side of the U.K. scene such The St.Pierre Snake Invasion, Cassels and others of their ilk. Plus with Alpha Male Tea Party’s Tom Peters in tow to record them this is already hyped up to be an interesting listen even before clicking play.
‘Come Undone’ soon proves that point with every element seemingly working on separate plains yet harmoniously. Stuttering drums, bass and guitar intertwining with a push and pull, overlaid with beautiful vocals. All coming together to a crescendo with a soaring guitar part. Distilling and boiling over as it progresses and nothing short of a vast statement of intent from the Norwich band.
Lead single ‘Bullets’ is technical and brutal in delivery. Groove-laden verses lead into red raw vocals in the chorus. The lead guitar almost arrogant in how established it sounds over a rhythm section that is complex yet tightly woven. ‘Pig’ continues with an instrumental onslaught. The energy keeps pummelling throughout flipping between head banging riffage, guitar licks and momentary discreet breaks.
