Labels: Hydra Head
Review by: Kunal Nandi
Hailing from Chicago, and newly-linked to one of modern hardcore’s finest labels, it’s tempting to say that the all-instrumental Pelican straddle the middle-ground between artsy post-rock and technical math-metal, attempting to appeal to both the headbangers and the chin-strokers. I don’t think that’s a million miles away from the truth, cos this definitely rocks, but in a most interesting way!
Opener “Pulse” is beautiful. Fucking loud, but beautiful. Deceptively single-minded and slow-moving, it starts loud and gets louder, using a guitar motif that is wildly catchy. I wish it could go on much longer than the 4 minutes it occupies. “Mammoth” is pure chundering one-note powerchord bashing. Brilliant. Weirdly, I find the final two tracks to be the least interesting. Whether this is due to them outstaying their welcome (they are 7 and 12 minutes long respectively), overdoing the repetitive thing to detrimental effect, or whether they’re overshadowed by the majesty and innovation of the first two tracks, I don’t know.
Unlike real pelicans, this band has not stuck their heads up their arses. I think that they’ve definitely gone for that hypnotic quality, and combining it with an ultra-heavy feel that makes it an almost bodily force. Great, especially those first two tracks!