In soft/loud contrasts, SBC avoid the tired, unimaginative quiet verse/loud chorus approach, allowing shifts to occur organically and with gradations in volume and intensity. They also make inventive use of space. With three guitarists, they are able to create diverse tones, rhythms and effects, sometimes with each guitar doing its own minimalistic thing, other times with two rhythmic parts and an unconventional solo, or with the three riffing together. Although distortion is an important feature, it is less of a presence than one associates with grunge, and SBC use it in a more delicate and intricate way.

There is one particular instrument which, all by itself, creates the dynamic sound SBC is going for: the voice of Joakim "Jocke" Åström (also of Bloody April, formerly Starfuck). His ability to draw out a note, sending it through several permutations along the way, is miraculous, and his yells/screams are some of the best I've ever heard, right up there with those of Maynard James Keenan. And yes, more than a passing similarity exists between the two, which may be problematical for some listeners. There are a lot of worse things you could do than emulate one of the greatest singers on the planet, however, and this doesn't seem to be a case of blatant imitation. Certainly Jocke uses some of the same techniques as Maynard, ones that happen to suit SBC's music perfectly, but beyond that their voices have a basic, natural sound similarity. Jocke's is a bit higher and more delicate, and although capable of generating great power (something I'd like him to do more often), he tends to harness it most of the time. Coincidence or not, the likeness to Maynard is unquestionable. Equally undeniable is the fact that Jocke Åström possesses great talent, versatility, and charisma. The guy's a star, plain and simple.

One of the most breathtaking examples of what Jocke can do with a note is heard when the quietly sung first verse of "Yours Sincerely" ends with his marathon utterance of "you," 14 seconds of gradual escalation, both sonic and emotional, culminating in an amazing scream then subsiding nearly as gradually. The other instruments likewise go from subdued to intense, starting with a brooding bass and guitar along with quiet cymbals, then additional guitars and heavier drumming. An obvious choice as opener (though in some ways this song has the feel of a closer), "Yours Sincerely" demonstrates within just the first minute and a half the kind of dynamics SBC seek and which are then expanded as the song continues. Heavy riffing embellished by some wild guitar sounds builds in intensity, crashing into a lighter but still exciting interlude where the pace and rhythm change drastically. In the last section massive, lurching rhythms are contrasted by a bouncy guitar and crisp drums. The only thing that diminishes this track is the refrain, which has some great lyrics ("I won't speak behind your back / I tell it to your perfect, twisted face.") but is a little too dainty, mostly because of the melody and vocal. Particularly in its first appearance, after that great scream in the opening, it's something of a letdown.

Usually SBC are more successful at maintaining momentum, so that the lighter parts of songs become crests, not drop-offs. In "Shortest Path" the refrain is relatively soft like that of "Yours Truly" but melodically and contextually stronger, seductively spreading out the sound after some crunchy riffing and again later after a great pounding, bashing section. Such languid passages have a tendency to suck you in somehow, especially when they're fully orchestrated. In "The Charlatans" we have an entire song that accomplishes this. Reminiscent of the deliciously drunken-sounding "Muteness" or haunting "Borderline" from SBC's Live Recorded Rehearsal DVD/CD, this is the most melancholic, least heavy track on the demo. It has some oddities that all work in its favor: a kind of "exhausted" pacing, an interesting, curiously non-combative guitar duel, and some understated building moments--most notably a drums-and-bass-dominated interlude. Excellent vocal effects add to the dreaminess and complement the lyrics.

Some fans of more aggressive music may not be susceptible to being sucked in by songs like "The Charlatans." No one, however, should be able to resist the relentlessness of "Blow." Whether loud or (relatively) quiet, this song simply never lets up, constantly sustaining or heightening the intensity set in its typically spare but unusually assertive opening by Valter Koivunen's drums and Jocke's punchy vocal. What's especially electrifying about this song is that there are so many building points and peaks crafted in different ways, including some well-timed, flawless yells from Jocke. Although "Blow" may not have as many extremes as the other tracks, its dynamics are still adventurous. SBC's spatial creativity is on display when a series of guitar jabs make triangular shapes in the air. Their gift for sonic variation is heard in an interlude's masterful mix of aggressiveness and deceptive passivity: militant chug underneath a relaxed guitar solo playing ascending notes and a floating vocal that suddenly soars into a scream while the bottom end swallows the solo, getting more deep and thunderous.

When even the quiet parts of their songs pulsate, when the intensity is simmering but ready boil, when there's a hovering rather than floating feeling, SBC effectively maintain momentum within songs. Doing so over the course of an entire album will be insured by wise choices in song sequencing and by some deviation from their habitual subdued beginnings for songs (as they have done occasionally in the past). I would also like to see them experiment with pauseless transitions between tracks, something their music is ideally suited for, and give more emphasis to the drums and to some of the weirder guitar sounds. As talented and as inspired by dynamics as Spinning Black Circle are, they will undoubtedly explore these and other possibilities on the full-length they're currently recording, which is sure to be a very special debut. They have a great, seductive sound that will only get more exciting as they continue to capitalize on its many alluring facets.

written by Maud

Playing time: 20.57