Violet Dread-Matters of Life & Death in F#/Electric Dread Metal. Perfection and my fave release of the year!!!

December 31, 2024

Violet Dread-Matters of Life & Death in F#/Electric Dread Metal. Perfection and my fave release of the year!!!

Extreme-styled music is one of my favourite genres. But despite basic hardcore and metal, I like a bit of depth and flavour in my music; be it tangential twists or use of electronica etc.

This killer release dropped in August and let me briefly explain the slight difference between the Bandcamp release and the physical(CD). The BC release is called Electric Dread Metal and has four tracks-Crying, Stitch up the Bleed, Numb and the Grind. The CD release of the album is called Matters of Life & Death in F#. The CD has all of the above tracks plus six more tracks.

Rest assured, none of the tracks on the CD are throwaway or bonus tracks, these form the structure of the complete record for me. (I assume in the future all tracks will be available on Bandcamp at a later date). Long story short-buy the fucking cd as well as the digital. The four tracks on Bandcamp serve as a snapshot of the band, the CD is so much more. As well as additional tracks, you get a multipanel/gatefold CD with amazing photography; shot in stunning Olinda.

On to the music.

The band name and the well-thought-out art direction have a brooding, eerie, unsettling electropunk metal sound foundation. There has many well considered punk/post-punk vibes on this like The Birthday Party is brawling with Wire/The Fall whilst sounding like a epic 90's Metal band covering a Frontline Assembly or Skinny Puppy classic. Paul's knack for making/programming very intense EBM/hard electro completely matches the vocal and guitar mastery on this release.

The gravelly riffs are tense,jarring and groovy at the same time, with clever drum/noise programming that works perfectly. Paul also composed the whole album as well as producing this gem. Add to this Alex's cold, spiteful and glorious vocals add gloom and viciousness to the mix. The skills of both musicians are ridiculous and stunning. Live; Violet Dread are even more off the chain.

The opener, Rhythms of Light is a magical start to this exceptional album. This is a track that deceives you with its quality indie/shoegaze beginning, but from the 2:45 min mark, the false sense of calm is eroded by aggressive and shouty vocals that work effortlessly with Paul's brutal musical artillery. (This like every other track has intelligent and reflective lyrics that require thought, skill and time).

Crying is next and wow what a banger that goes for the throat from the first note. This is the band's solid foundation, excellent hard-arsed beats, acidic riffs and unhinged vocals. So much going on and everything is front foot forward and energetic as hell.

Stitch up the Bleed is undoubtedly one of the tracks that I adored immediately. From the sneaky drone intro to the faded-out vocal cues and the mega hardcore punk and digital warfare approach of the track, it is so gritty and tough as hell. Also a gem lyrically as expected. The breaks and tiny space between verses is killer as well, and those phat-arse riffs and ear destroying drum tracks, are simply fucking sick as hell. Macho as fuck, but clever as an art student project. Sensational and needs a remix for an even more diverse and angular crazy town style.

(this was recently and if you missed this you are a dickhead!!!)

Numb is far from numb; it is tangential, weighty and so psychotic-one of the best vocal styles around in full effect this time, with the added brilliance of everything Paul does so well. This has more nuts than a psych ward and is demented and very dancey whilst headbanging at the same time. Essential track.

Born is an almost gothic industrial piece that is atmospheric in its slow tempo initial approach that eventually dips into deranged bad boy heaviness.

The tone and atmosphere of this track swims over you and slowly suffocates you. And the ending is an overwhelming death metal worship vocally and with warlike programming and erratic riffs.

A Sick Death is another winner from the CD release which starts off dronelike and the successful focus is about spoken lyrics, delivering in a punk poetry format. This really breaks the release up and works so well. Much love to the band for going out on a diverse limb on this, it's masterfully executed.

Joytown-deciding on the best track on this release is like narrowing down your top 3 favourite bands, however, this is a huge highlight from this band. Vocals and riffs are laid on very thick and this essence of explosive and entrancing sonic warfare is driven by programming I can only describe as New Order on meth. Magnificent track that never gets dull.

The Grind-another massive track that closes out the digital release and the disgusting joy of this is always a highlight of their live show. The repetition of the track is excellent, crushing and hateful. Always love the integration of vocals as an instrument is super evident here. Dancey but metal as hell, hell yes!. This is like The Evil Wiggles for adults!.

Ashes of Peace- Whilst the last track was super high energy, this gem begins with almost robotic spoken vocals and drifts subtly into wild, percussive and hard-edged industrial metal. Like many of the other astute songs, it is a balance of dark and light, melody/groove vs mayhemic aggression-but the clever melody under this song is phenomenal.

The Weight- one of the heaviest tracks by the sheer weight of the emotional, draining and hammering tone across the track. This is another case for the whole album being essential, as this track is beguiling and stunning and more so as a closing song.