Labels: Ascetic
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Midwest power trio ahoy. Picking up the mantle along with bands like Traindodge, Riddle of Steel is three dudes playing a rock racket, and Python is a super solid 11 track album that makes it’s mark from the get go. “One Inch Deep” powers into it’s snaking (no pun intended, or maybe it was) guitar and grooving rhythms and basslines instantly, giving you a fair idea of what you should expect from the rest of this here CD. And they don’t really relent for the full 40 plus minutes, breaking into rockage that sways back and forth almost mathematically but forever retains head busting melodic parts and the ability to just capture your attention and lock you into their music. It’s impressive (though not surprising if you are familiar with other similar rocking 3 piece bands) how they just build up such incredible grooves. The rhythm pulses hypnotically, yet the wandering guitar lines are equally as effective and worth paying attention to. “The Selection Effect” for example is absolutely stunning, building up and up into a totally driving, repetitious song that blows my head off. I guess the reason why the record bares repeated listens is because there is just so much going on that it’s unlikely you’ll pick it all out on first listen. All the elements are worth focusing on individually – and then it all comes together and creates a nutritional whole. Yum.
The press release recalls bands that I can’t be bothered to listen to, but I would haphazardly suggest something like Farewell Bend or the loud bits of Juno or something as a good comparison. Or Queens of the Stone Age at some points, I am not sure why I think that, yet I do. But hey. Riddle of Steel have come up with a very fine CD here that will appeal to folks who like their indie rock complex, melodic and kick ass.