Following on from 2021’s Push we now have the other half of the gym split. Well maybe this is not for workout freaks but rather those that love catchy as covid alternative metal /post hardcore with pop hooks and melodies.
As with “Push” the Kent instrumentalists have drafted in Far’s Jonah Matranga on vocals and Nick Wheeler of Will Haven on drums and like its predecessor I am instantly drawn in from the get go.
“Ephemeral” has a hooky chorus that grabbed me from the off – by the second utterance of the word I was singing along. The comparisons on this album are similar to the last – Quicksand and of course Far but I also get a huge wave of 90’s alternative nostalgia of acts that are more known from the alternative /indie scene rather than the more niche Post hardcore monicker. As I listen to the album the riffs and atmospheres bring to mind early Feeder and Bush as well as Placebo, Smashing Pumpkins and even Ocean Colour Scene. For anyone who gets freaked out by those comparisons there is a healthy dose of QOTSA/Kyuss vibes in there as well – particularly in the excellent “Tetanus Blades” .
I was a big fan of Sons… in their instrumental efforts and in particular the “Buried Memories” remix collab they did with Justin Broadrick and Khanate’s James Plotkin. On that release the band’s ethereal post rock was twisted round the industrial iron of the two dark musicians to great effect. It worked well and I revisit sporadically.
The injection of Matranga on vocals has brought two ingredients to the Sons. One of course is a voice for their sweeping melodies and chunky riffs, the lyrics are simple and catchy yet still poignant and meaningful. The other aspect is a little harder to describe. Matranga has one of those voices that brings to mind a change of seasons. In some tracks he sounds like spring turning to summer and the promise of warmth and freedom. In others, the death of those heady days and the oncoming of autumn – a goodbye to romance and an acceptance of a new chill that has its own thrill. “Doomed” in particular, with its Lemonheads styling, is a sad wry smile of acceptance atop of languid drum beat and surf guitar line played straight.
In contrast, the title track is a chunky rapscallion of a track built on a beefy grunge riff that L7 woulda loved with a dirty Kyuss style driving drum beat. Got me bopping and grooving in my seat. “The Ways We Were” that follows it is emotionally wrought but still as riff heavy – think Placebo with less nasal vocals.
I hope that SOAC keep with this current line up and format – the mixture of post rock/ post hardcore and alt rock makes a heady sonic brew that is as mentally stimulating as it is earworm catchy – I have found myself alternately able to drift into my own thoughts soundtracked by the wonderful melodies before being thrust back into active listening by the need to sing along to a hooky chorus. Two pronged attack – the cheeky Kents!
(8/10 Matt Mason)
Leave a Reply