|
|
|
|
Quick hit: This band immediately brings to mind the now defunct Fudge Tunnel, and to a lesser degree old Helmet and the also defunct Misery Loves Company. Highroad No. 28 play mid-paced, groove-oriented music with sampled spoken word soundbites. The grooves are slow and deliberate and I could easily see fans of the aforementioned bands enjoying this Australian group's music. My main complaint is that there are a few too many grunts and screams on the first song. A VDOP-era Phil Anselmo sounding "huh!" is repeated three times too many (four total) and followed by a series of four screams. Once each would have sufficed but that may be just my opinion. This is a pretty minor complaint as there is nothing else that screams "tear me apart." This was recorded by two people, Andrew Cantwell doing drums and vocals, Phillip Brien doing all guitars, including bass. Both applied samples, too. This EP was very well done. The rhythm and groove of the main guitar/bass line propels the listener through the music but it is perhaps the drums that drive the entirety of this EP. The drums sound very much like those from Fudge Tunnel, constantly pushing the music while plentiful lead guitars properly complement each song. Speaking of the drummer, his vocals are of the semi-spoken / yelled variety, reminding one of Helmet but with an Aussie overtone. Good stuff. At times there are shouted chorus style vocals which imply that the vocals were multi-tracked since one person is credited with all vocals.
"Time Desolation" is an acoustic guitar piece accompanied by the sounds of wind and thunderstorm. It is moody and calming. One might almost call it brooding. This, too, is very well done and it paces the EP out a bit after the almost overly long ~10 minute track, "Dissociative Paroxysm." Mr. Cantwell advises that this EP is available at the band's site for a paltry $5 (U.S.) even though the site itself shows the price to be double that. Give the band your support as they deserve it. Hopefully they will be able to tour beyond Australia in the future. At two EPs under their belt, it is high time that they put out a full length album. I look forward to it.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Anxiety Disorder NOS |
| 2. Just Below The Surface |
| 3. Dissociative Paroxysm |
| 4. Time Desolation |
| 5. Intransigent |
: 28.07
| Buy other Highroad No. 28 albums |
