Now here is something we can all enjoy, Volume 1 by sludge-rock duo Springbok. Springbok are Liam Blackburn (Guitar and vocals) and Tom Ashley (Drums and Vocals) and they’ve been the purveyors of fat riffs and raucous drumming in the north-west of England since 2010. And let me tell you, they’re fantastic. This four track EP was released early August and is available for a free download on Springbok’s bandcamp page.
The track listing is intriguing enough with curious titles like “The Jumping Cake”, “Super Volcano” and “Milk Plus”, which is presumably a reference to A Clockwork Orange. Once you’ve got beyond the track listing your in for a real treat. Springbok’s own brand of heavy/progressive/sludge rock, whilst imparting nods to bands like Mastodon and The Melvins, also contains many elements that I haven’t heard from bands with a similar sound. There’s even a bit of Faith No More in there. These songs are certainly atmospheric, like the songs on The Melvins’ Gluey Porch Treatments, but you don’t have to look too far for the hooks, there are plenty of catchy riffs and rhythmic patterns amongst the feedback and distortion.
The vocals don’t come in until halfway through most of these songs in the way that a second guitar might be added somewhere down the line. In fact there is not a single vocal up until about five minutes into the EP. So it’s all about the music right? Well, there are still some great lyric moments, particularly on Not Now Later. For example, who wouldn’t recognise the profound irony in the words “return to us in all your majesty/ and let us know your alive” and the implied threat in the word ‘majesty’.
“Super Volcano” is obviously the highlight of the record and a truly astonishing track. Blackburn’s guitar displays a range of tones and moods that is impressive whilst also remaining true to the pair’s manifesto of “fat riffs”, and it’s all underpinned by Ashley’s superb and frenetic thrashings. The vocals on “Super Volcano” are submerged in a river of noise, occupying a space between articulate sense and bestial howl. Listen to this towering effort more than once in a single sitting and you’ll probably need a lie down.
Volume 1 is a superb record that takes the listener on a journey through sonic landscapes of mountainous riffs, earth shaking drumming, existential disquiet and pure awesomeness. Get it here: http://inknoise.bandcamp.com/
Words: Connor May
The track listing is intriguing enough with curious titles like “The Jumping Cake”, “Super Volcano” and “Milk Plus”, which is presumably a reference to A Clockwork Orange. Once you’ve got beyond the track listing your in for a real treat. Springbok’s own brand of heavy/progressive/sludge rock, whilst imparting nods to bands like Mastodon and The Melvins, also contains many elements that I haven’t heard from bands with a similar sound. There’s even a bit of Faith No More in there. These songs are certainly atmospheric, like the songs on The Melvins’ Gluey Porch Treatments, but you don’t have to look too far for the hooks, there are plenty of catchy riffs and rhythmic patterns amongst the feedback and distortion.
The vocals don’t come in until halfway through most of these songs in the way that a second guitar might be added somewhere down the line. In fact there is not a single vocal up until about five minutes into the EP. So it’s all about the music right? Well, there are still some great lyric moments, particularly on Not Now Later. For example, who wouldn’t recognise the profound irony in the words “return to us in all your majesty/ and let us know your alive” and the implied threat in the word ‘majesty’.
“Super Volcano” is obviously the highlight of the record and a truly astonishing track. Blackburn’s guitar displays a range of tones and moods that is impressive whilst also remaining true to the pair’s manifesto of “fat riffs”, and it’s all underpinned by Ashley’s superb and frenetic thrashings. The vocals on “Super Volcano” are submerged in a river of noise, occupying a space between articulate sense and bestial howl. Listen to this towering effort more than once in a single sitting and you’ll probably need a lie down.
Volume 1 is a superb record that takes the listener on a journey through sonic landscapes of mountainous riffs, earth shaking drumming, existential disquiet and pure awesomeness. Get it here: http://inknoise.bandcamp.com/
Words: Connor May