Album Type: Full-Length
Date Released: 30/1/2015
Label: Rising Magma(CD);
Lighttown Fidelity(LP)
Label: Rising Magma(CD);
Lighttown Fidelity(LP)
Obey
– Tracklisting:
1.
Vault
2.
Obey
3.
Piledriver
4.
Conquistador
5.
Tarhunt
6.
Void
7.
Gilgamesh
8.
Revolt
The Band:
Joost
Kruiswijk - guitars
Harold
Aling - guitars
Jochum
van Weert - bass guitar
Rogier
Berben - drums
Review:
Dutch
heavy instrumentalists Tank86 are sure brightening up the start of
2015 for me. I won't go through the usual spiel about my love for
vocal-less music, but holy hell, this is fantastic! And true to their
name, they are just as punishing as a tank. I have to admit these
guys were an unknown entity to me prior to listening to 'Obey',
but better late than ever, right? Now I have something interesting
exploring to do. So, what's the deal with this album? Well, read on
folks and I'll do my best to explain.
Not
beating around the bush, 'Vault'
pummels me to a bloody pulp with no intention of letting go. After a
somewhat chaotic yet beautiful start, Tank86 hits warp speed,
shredding me to slices with some awesome riffs before letting the
drums mash me up. The title track follows much in the same vein as
it's predecessor and gives no respite at all. Slightly different in
structure than the opener, 'Obey'
still slays and by adding more tempo changes, they set the record
straight showing how things should be done. As 'Piledriver'
kicks in Tank86 clearly presents their trademark... putting brutal
riff upon brutal riff while the bass guitar and the drums aim for
solar plexus. Whether they go straight for the throat or gradually
build up a song, they are amazingly relentless. And why haven't I
heard of them before? Slowing things down a bit on 'Conquistador'
which is the most diverse song on the album. After all, they utilize
a saxophone and a trumpet on this one! Yes, you heard me right but
don't fret because it works great. Baying eerie, haunting solos on
top of the heavy music, this strange collaboration makes perfect
sense despite being seemingly odd. Subsequently, the outcome is a
beautiful song.
Slow and
foreboding, 'Tarhunt'
is a lurking beast with a strong vibe of old school doom. Brief
bursts of punk-like tones charges the song, before reverting back to
doom again with amazing riffs leading the way, with the trumpet being
used towards the end to great effect. Remaining within the slower
paced sphere, 'Void'
is one of those brilliant songs that gradually builds up and all of a
sudden you realise how crushingly heavy the tune is, despite never
hitting warp speed. Emotions and atmosphere, that's all I am
saying...fuck yes! 'Gilgamesh'
takes over in pace setting department. Retaining the crushing part
Tank86 turns it up a notch as the guitars are trading licks back and
forth. And let us not forget the way Joost and Harold are harmonizing
the riffs, I can't barelt contain myself when they let loose.
'Revolt' gets the
honour to close this fantastic album and that's a great choice on the
band's part. In lieu with it's title, the song is chaotic and in your
face, just like any kind of a revolt is. Slowing gradually to come to
a fading end I am left breathless wanting more. Somehow I just keep
pressing play without even knowing what I am doing, 'Obey'
is that great of a release.
Whatever your musical
preferences are, Tank86 is most definitely a band everyone out there
should check out. Why? First of all, the band members are truly great
musicians but not in a show-off kind of way. Instead they use their
talent to weave stories using the instruments as the storytellers.
Nothing is superflous as each part included is equally important as
the next one. I mean, these guys could show off left, right and
centre with their technical ability but they don't. Making music that
moves the listener is what they aim at...and they succeed with such
ease.
Words
by: Håkan Nyman
Thanks to Alfred at
Kamikaze PR and Tank86 for the promo. Obey will be available to buy
on CD from Rising Magma Records and Vinyl through Lighttown Fidelity.
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