Hence Confetti new EP " Duress" review FFO: Challenging and crushing original music. By Mark Jenkins.
Hence Confetti new EP " Duress" review and interview FFO:Challenging and crushing original music.By Mark Jenkins.
We have tons of releases that fall into our email or social media accounts, but the ones that stand out are often discovered randomly. Hence Confetti was first heard via a Spotify playlist and I was astounded that this band came from Australia. The self-titled debut EP was glorious and proudly walked the line between prog-post metal and industrial/noise rock. This is a solid release, but now the new EP drops and the foundation has wildly stretched its crazed tentacles into a comprehensive rich release. Duress is one of the best releases of the year.
This stunning release is on the fantastic eclectic Bird's Robe label and is also brilliantly self-produced and mastered by the band. The six well-crafted tracks are full of colour and bite, and Duress is compelling and intriguing.
The band bio on this release:
Duress is the opener, this banger utilises the granular teeth of industrial adjacent 90s throwbacks be it Fear Factory or NIN. Crushing, brooding and oppressive guitarwork parries with a skilful vocal range that dips into post-hardcore and death metal. The vocals being held and drawn out showcase how masterful this band is. The staggering chorus is a perfect gift, and the deep and melodic range is something fellow Aussie bands like Our Last Enemy and All This Filth bring to the fold; with a slight Nu-Metal twist. Of note is also the main riff that refuses to be ignored and seems to go head to head with the drums and bass. This record takes you on an epic rollercoaster.
Promise has an exquisitely atmospheric, borderline Mogwai/Russian Circles flavour that transitions to a fascinating melodic and prog-tastic harmonic world. And that grungey, kind of post-hardcore stylistic change is so damn enjoyable. the bass work is definitely a highlight of this amazing track, it demands attention and is a standout performance. After multiple listens it seems like a classic track that would be played at an old festival like Big Day Out that evokes a Tool versus Alice in Chains impression. Equally mid-song the resonating sound is also fantastically reminiscent of both Soundgarden and System of a Down. This then gloriously shifts into captivating piano work and isolated vocals that move towards a post-metal colossal ending. Outstanding musicianship and composition are so evident here, resulting in tracks that are free of posturing or pigeon-holed genre focus. Vast skill is resplendent on this EP in bucketloads.
Shang Tsung-frenzied dissonant riff work leads an audio battle that is bold, bombastic and just colossal. One has to give props to a band that has intermixed many styles/genres into their sound over one release, or frankly even in just one track. The artistry evident is very confident and compelling. On this track, the vocal work is deep in mathcore territory as Mr. Bungle or Frontierer, and that ain't easy at all. This is a grim but fun track that is both meditative and utterly headbanging. my type of god-tier track, 3 tracks in and you still have no clue where this EP will go next. This track is a searingly warped anthem.
The Road is Thinning; I adored how this also is an insane blender of sounds. Explosive drum work holds the groove down firmly with its accuracy and domineering foundation. Prog as hell, and the bass forces its tone in so aggressively while again the vocals are both melodic and angelic to straight-up unholy. The guitar tone took no backseat as it was chunky and acidic and the vocals also drift into Dillinger Escape Plan/Botch-like landscapes and if you know me...that is the promised land. Whilst I do draw comparisons to certain other legendary bands' works etc, Hence Confetti is completely their own band and again this makes this release so damn essential to any alternative music fan.
Void is a break in the transmission and stamps its horror/cult movie soundtrack ambience in this fantastic short track. Void alarms, thrills and captures your attention, reminding you this band can do what the hell it wants and the synth/electronic work on this is top-notch. Mood pieces like this serve as an intermission, but not one to relax to.
The closing track is wisely named Onslaught and this is a semi-industrial, doomy and glorious track. Like so many previous tracks, the wide-ranged influences are important, but this is simply deliriously grievous in its sheer intent. The main guitar attack is wild, catchy as hell and purposely repetitive. Maniacal vocals are at the forefront, and the song completely grinds you down as it progresses. The industrial doom space is a definite battleground they win every time. This song drips in tension and the pummelling it gives to the listener is spectacular.
This is the record of the year for me and you need to blast it when it drops tomorrow.
Tomorrow we drop an interview with Rowland and also an exclusive sneak peek at a video of The Road is Thinning that drops very soon.
stay tuned and support this band hard!!!
Comments
Post a Comment