Allusondrugs – Self Titled EP

By RingMaster Review on July 20, 2014 • ( 0 )

Allusondrugs Promo 1

UK rockers Allusondrugs has been working away at the imagination and passions for the past couple of years, laying down a bait of three diverse and increasingly impressive singles which has led to a hungry anticipation for the prospect of something bigger from the West Yorkshire quintet. That sizeable offering comes in the enthralling shape of their self-titled EP; a six-track revelry for the passions and tease for the psyche. The band’s last single showed the increasing maturity and immersive expression of the band’s songwriting, now it is in full swing within the suggestive technicoloured seduction of the EP. At times it is tenderly mesmeric, in others psychedelically psychotic, and from start to finish it is a magnetic captivation to reinforce thoughts that Allusondrugs is about to ignite the British rock scene with their raw edged fusion of grunge and warmly warped psychedelic rock.

The band began in 2012, its members coming together out of the Leeds music scene. Taking influences from the likes of Nirvana, Deftones, My Bloody Valentine, and Sonic Youth into their unpredictable adventure of sound, the impressive entrance of debut single Plasters and the following twisted teasing of My Cat/Fruit of 2013 soon thrust the band into a certain underground spotlight whilst earning attention from mainstream ears. Earlier this year, third single Nervous woke up a wider expanse of attention with its masterful presence and call to the imagination. Released on Clue Records, as the singles, the new EP embraces all the essences of the individual delights that came before and casts them into a new inventive drama and virulent persuasion to unapologetically steal the passions.

With the core of the release recorded live over a week in Greenmount Studios, Leeds, the EP immediately flirts with ears and thoughts through the opening beats of I’m Your Man. It is an instantaneously coaxing sure to awaken a3102663430_10 attention; a focus soon fed by sonic waves of acidic guitars and the excellent group harmonies we have already become accustomed to. The song is soon holding a bold stride as enticing melodies wrap their temptation around the rhythmic spine of the song whilst rawer rubs of riffing and the creative sonic web crafted by guitarists Drey Pavlovic and Damo Hughes dance with ears and a growing appetite for the rich invention of the song. The track though is a full seduction, the excellent vocals of Jason Moules supported by Hughes and the punch packing beats of drummer Connor Fisher-Atack alongside the rich darker tones of Jemal Malki’s bass equally as impressive and persuasive.

The band is constantly being, and understandably, being placed under comparisons to the likes of Nirvana and Soundgarden, two references easy to bring forth with the following Ted, What’s The Porn Like In Heaven?, but the opener is more Pixies-esque in its immersive and discord kissed ingenuity. It is a flavouring and spark to appear across the whole EP, though as said the second song is firmly spawned from a grunge haze. It roars from the first second, riffs climbing over ears with anthemic purpose whilst the bass of Malki simply roams with a predator’s heart into the imagination. The guitars continue to sling caustic notes and riffs with a freedom and raw intent that puts the listener right there in the studio whilst the vocals and rhythms stir up the sense with their own raucous lures. It is hard to avoid that Nirvana suggestion, especially from around the Bleach album, but there is always that undeniable uniqueness which turns it all into another invigorating original encounter.

The pinnacle of the release comes in Cherry Pie, a song which from the opening grumbling bassline sets ears and passions aflame. It is soon swiftly and provocatively striding with a determined directness as post punk like guitar stabs spear its intent. A brewing sonic potency grows around the irresistibly addictive hook of the song, its groove which would not be lost in a Joy Division intrusion bringing a hunger and resourcefulness which is as punk as it is noise rock. The song is glorious; a thrusting of rhythms and toxic invention, not forgetting that insatiable groove, which across its contagious trap has whispers of Public Image Ltd, Cardiacs, Queens Of The Stone Age, and the St Pierre Snake Invasion, yet still emerges as a distinct beast owned by Allusondrugs.

Nervous caress ears next, its swarming temptation draped in a melodic coaxing, instantly holding ears in a tight embrace to which jabbing beats set a firm punctuation. The grip relaxes soon after though as warm vocals and melodies soak the senses, their kiss aligned to the darker mood of the bass and a new vein of sonic invention. It is riveting, a mesmeric croon with the outstanding dual vocals adding a Walker Brothers like suasion within at times a tempestuously stirring emprise of evocative sound which again offers that Pixies like flavouring. An air of surf rock also adds its wash to the psychedelically fuelled beauty of the song, an elegance ignited further by the eruptions of grunge rapacity which reinforce the depth and insatiable persuasive alchemy of the song.

The release is completed by firstly the emotive climate of Sunset Yellow, a shimmering flight of melodies and haunting harmonies veined by melancholic basslines and slightly bent out of shape, distortion lent sonic ingenuity where again with that Frank Black and co leaning shows its face. It is a smoulder of sound and adventure which just gets more potent overtime, setting up emotions and intrigue perfectly for the final track Thingio. With almost grudging respect from its primal riffery and bass taunting from the first moments, the track stalks and preys on the senses, stroking them with a melodic seducing as the string manipulation of the band brings a raw rabidity to the imposing leer of the song. It is a stunning slice of musical entrapment, the entrancing vocals and weaving melodies a rein on the predacious heart of what is an exhilarating beast.

It is fair to say that we like so many were expecting big things from the band when news of the EP broke and we have not been disappointed, in fact such its might those hopes and expectations were almost an insult to its glory. Watch out UK, Allusondrugs are coming for your souls.

The Allusondrugs EP is available via Clue Records 21st July @ http://cluerecords.bandcamp.com/album/allusondrugs-ep on download and Ltd Ed CD as well as an Ltd Cassette via Pinky Swear Records.

https://www.facebook.com/Allusondrugs

9/10

RingMaster 20/07/2014

Allusondrugs Tour Dates:

JULY

25th July = Tramlines Festival, Sheffield (Millenium Galleries)

26th July = Lounge 41, Workington

27th July = Clarence Festival, Wakefield

AUGUST

1st August = The Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge

2nd August = Temple of Boom, Leeds

7th August = Bar Bloc, Glasgow