SOMA - Paradigm - Download (2016)

Labels: self released
Review by: MH

Here’s a new Lancaster band I wasn’t aware of before getting the email on this one. That email mentioned a whole bunch of my favourite bands from the 90s and it caught my eye straight away. I don’t necessarily hear all the bands listed in the email but there are bits here and there that pop out – the slightly ramshackle rhythm section on the cracking opener has hints of Broccoli about it and the riff that opens “Hostage” is very Fugazi. The songs themselves ride the crest of a wave when the guitars get going and there is a neat combination of heft and melancholy going on. The EP ends with “Shadows In Your Step” which is close to 7 minutes long and sees things out with a rollicking instrumental second half. If I was still living in England I’d be trying to see this band live asap – good things happening here for sure.