Details:
Samplers are great. Often bundled with magazines, or costing £2/3 from your local record shop, they’re a great way of finding out about new or unfamiliar bands. So when Gallipoli Records said they were giving out a bunch we jumped at the chance to have one. As ever, there were two possible outcomes: on one hand a bunch of new favorite bands, on the other a free coaster/frisbee combo for the office. Either way, it’s a win win situation. Onto the review!
Sounding like a mixture of Nebula circa Charged and The Atomic Bitchwax’s self-titled debut, Tarmak kick out an enjoyable, if highly predictable jam in the form of “Noddy Holder”. Kaytu don’t sound too far away from a mix of Stillettos and Geezerbird, though they have a distinct eastern influence and present us with a more acoustic orientated offering than their comparatives. It’s OK, but nothing to get too excited about.
Battlewitch are currently gaining the accolade of my new favorite band. Styled like they’re from the more punk influenced side of the NWOBHM, a sound hovering somewhere between Vardis and Girlschool (remember them?). Add lyrics that are stereotypically “True Metal” you’d find it on your local Asda cheese shelf and you have a piece that can only be described as classic metal. And thus we come around to Drift, presenting us with the track “Chiromancer”. It’s almost stoner rock by numbers, sounding like Kyuss, Sabbath, Soil (I did say almost stoner) and Clutch with a slightly Southern drawl. Good, but not exactly setting the soul alight. The Conspiracy ’s “Flirt” follows, coming off with a reminiscence of early nineties quiet guitar pop a la Scorpio Rising, tinged with an edge of mid/late nineties Blur. It’s good, but feels slightly empty to me, making me wonder if there was a better track choice. Want to check out more? Yes I do.
Then there’s Trike. Like an evil version of Roxy Music, although they hold a slightly more basic form, there’s no sax or synth, you can close your eyes and imagine Brian Ferry sneering at you and enticing your daughter to join him backstage. I’d like to hear more of this band, the track on offer makes it seem like there’s a lot more to be discovered. Then there’s Anti-Climax. As far as recording stuff goes, they sound like they recorded on a four track in their bedrooms. But rather than act as a hindrance, adds to the raw feel of corrosive sludge on offer. It’s the sort of stuff that activists warned you about in 1987. Like anything with a health warning, you should go out and try it ASAP.
Mothertrucker finish off this release with “Horn Of Edwards”, a psychedelic edged piece of flamboyant heavy rock. Taking nods from Isis, King Crimson and (yet again) Kyuss, it’s a hugely enjoyable seven minute mini-epic.
So, while it’s entirely possible for this CD to be used in games of fetch with your dog, we recommend you listen to it instead. Get it while you can.
Tracklist:
1. Tarmak - Noddy Holder
2. Kaytu - Keep On Running
3. Battlewitch - Dawn Of Ruin
4. Drift - Chiromancer
5. The Conspiracy - Flirt
6. Trike - Hole In My Heart
7. Anti-Climax - Toil The Grave (demo)
8. Mother Trucker - Horn Of Edwards
