Labels: Tiny Engines
Review by: MH
The RIYL section for this scored a 569% cupid score on match.com for Collective Zine listing the likes of Unwound, Twelve Hour Turn, Hoover, The Jesus Lizard and Shotmaker (!). Whether this actually sounds like any of those bands is open for discussion but it’s kind of besides the point as listening to this as a standalone EP, this record is something of a beast. For me this doesn’t sound like Shotmaker but I can hear their influence in the rhythm section of some of these tracks – it is aggressive and chaotic, and delivers an almighty kick right from the first screams of opener “Ruins”. This is an aggressive EP and steamrollers its way through six tracks. Whilst they don’t hurl through them at a blistering pace they have nailed the art of being powerful at a slower pace. “Shamewalker” in particular is stunning. The bass is prominent throughout and adds substantial drive like on the rollicking opening to “Monotoned” which is accompanied by a pounding drumbeat. The vocals border on screamo but keep it just in check. They have really stepped things up from the sound on the nicely titled “Cunt Punch” EP as this is really great – chaotic, discordant and relentless. Setting aside the relevance of any of the comparisons, this absolutely wipes the floor with many of the other bands playing this type of music right now.