Not to be confused with the theatrical group for incarcerated women, that’s not to be said that their namesake, The Medea Project as a band, do not show a certain thespian flair. Having been around for some time with many members through their stage doors we now find them as a trio and “lurking in the Kentish countryside.” Recently reactivated for live duties including a show at the Bar Academy Islington on the 18th August this three track EP gives a small indication of what to expect and although brief seems to have no shortage of ideas running through it.
First number ‘Babylon’ has a brooding start that kind of reminds me a bit of a slowed down Doctor Who Theme. There’s certainly a doomy heft about the instrumentation and when the clean vocals join in there’s a bit of a vibe about things too which takes me back in time to some of the neo-psyche rock bands of the 80’s and 90’s. It rocks and trembles away and the more forceful vocals enhance the melody rising through it along with some snare crunches and jangling riffs. ‘G.E.O.f.F’ (and nope I have no idea) has some reverb heavy, slow-drum beats and a mournful guitar melody, vocals fragrantly enrich and we are in a much more Gothic sort of place here again very much taking me to the aforementioned time era. Chorus is strong when it comes in, it’s very slightly reminiscent of a reaper fearing BOC and my head is also in a time frame where I was listening to bands like The Rose Of Avalanche and Levitation near religiously. Although having said this it sounds very original and is rather difficult to pigeonhole in any precise fashion. Song titles are equally obtuse as ‘Gloam MMXVII’ proves. Poetic lyrically this floats off and croons into the EP’s most rocky part with a strong bass and guitar groove and even some rough vocal growls. Even with the hidden embellishment of an extra track on the physical disc ten or so minutes after this track concludes it’s still very difficult to put a finger on this. As far as recent group’s on my radar are concerned the only one that this faintly reminds of (mainly on last track) are Tor Marrock and obviously The Medea Project have something a bit different going on here. I will certainly be interested in checking out a full length album to see where things progress from here.
(7/10 Pete Woods)
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