Blood in the Champagne-Evolve like a Chrysalis EP review. FFO: Brilliant, searing Gothic-Post Punk.

 


Blood in the Champagne-Evolve Like a Chrysalis EP review. FFO: Brilliant, searing Gothic Post-Punk.

Damn, this Gothic Post-Punk band have impressed the hell out of me since their inception. It certainly feels like this band have been around forever, given the absolute quality of both their dynamic live shows and the gems on this debut release. If you are a fan of any Goth, Darkwave or Post-Punk genres, be prepared to fall in love with the glorious audio offerings of Evolve like a Chrysalis.



The soundscapes are very much a mix of the finest Gothic and Post-artists, whilst utterly sounding very original. This trio is completely full of vigour and temperamental energy across this EP, but this is stunning confident and catchy as hell. The tone is always brooding, scorching and grim. And I am completely in awe of every track.


Red Dust is a breathtaking opener; that contains all the moody and brisk energy we want from a leading post-punk band. It simmers with the buzzing bass, dominant drum and synth tone coupled with acidic riffery all secondary to frankly god-tier vocal wizardry. Gabe and Kymin's vocals are certainly throwbacks to the finest of the Gothic and Post-Punk legends, but it is very much their magic melting pot of pure musical ecstasy.
Like every track on this debut, the band is super locked into each other and their live performances indicate this every single time. How they are so tight and competent for such a new band staggers me. Blood in the Champagne could play any major festival in the world without any doubt.


Fallout Day throws all its prickly toys at you from its chaotic and unhinged trolley. This screams out instant classic from the first listen, with as much Joy Division as Wire in the mix and even Killing Joke. How does a three-piece band pull so much out of deeply resonant and pogo-inspired punk grandeur in 2:21 minutes?. Also, the feverish tone across this frenzied punky number is so catchy and thoroughly earworm material.

Chrysalis dives back into synth-heavy heaven and Kymin has a real knack for changing up her vocals on not only this track, but across the album. Again her prowess is glorious, and vocally she ticks all the boxes by reminding me of Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Raincoats, Cocteau Twins,The Slits, Elastica and Bikini Kill. Yes, fine comparisons, but very accurate. Vocals are the main attraction here, but only marginally with real spiky and stiletto-like guitarwork in the Wire/Gang of Four style. Don't forget this is all held down by dominant basslines as erosive as PiL or a classic dub band and Adem's warlike and tribal drum finesse.


Now we have established this is an unequivocally essential band that has wicked influences, consists of brilliant musicians and can deliver live and in the recorded format. But can these moody vermin sustain their skill across a whole EP, the answer is HELL YES, THAT IS CERTAINLY A DEFINITE!!!.


Fourth track(and yes it is another classic, but hey that's what this band drop, all bangers and certified classics)No Reflection equally recalls the mood of late nights in grotty gothic nightclubs, when you are probably drunk, and exhausted but that track drops and you have more energy than a piranha on meth. The band excells here, the sublime synth drips in and the overpowering bassline sends you into a maddened gothic/punky dance-focused fury with a slight side dish of indignant moshing. Oh, my Blood in the Champagne, you are fucking pure artisans of the genre, I bow to thee.

Now we have had fun, DEFINITELY danced somewhat and replayed every track, but does the closing song send us into the raptures that a quality release should?.
Dying of the Light not only ends this wicked musical product but also closes these geniuses' live set, BECAUSE IT IS A EXCELLENT SPOOKY AND MANIC ANTHEM. Today it appears to be my fave, because it equally reminds some of Bauhaus, early The Cure, Television, the Fall, Magazine and many other flawless bands. As Gabe screams: Goodnight!!!.

Also it is super important that this band is very sociopolitical and their excellent lyrics reflect this. Music is always political!!!

In summary, go see the band, buy their music and merch and chat to them.

Interview with the band coming real soon.

Get antisocial:


and go to the EP launch tonight:

Every act is amazing!!!



SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC AND COMMUNITY, SUPPORT ALL ARTISTS OF ALL CREEDS AND GENDERS.






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