Uncanny – Self Titled EP

By RingMaster Review on April 7, 2016 • ( 0 )

Pic Marius Ringen

As much as technical prowess does impress, personal tastes dictates that if an instrumental proposition is going to really fire up the passions, it has to have inescapable imagination inspiring drama to its presence whether that be cinematic or emotional. It is a quality which is in abundance within the self-titled debut EP from Norwegian trio Uncanny and why the release has barely left our speakers these past couple of days since first immersing in its fascinating and dark creative adventure.

The Oslo based Uncanny consists of Andreas Oltedal, Rikard Sjånes Pedersen, and Torkil Rødvand; a threesome drawing on the inspirations of artists ranging from Meshuggah, Benea Reach, and Shining to Stian Westerhus & Pale Horses, Aiming for Enrike, and Igor Stravinskij for their own multi-textured exploits. Their first EP is an introduction to all to the band and if it is a sign of things to come, the first step in drawing perpetually eager and persistent attention their way.

The release opens with klown, a darkly flavoured web of sound swiftly sparking ears and imagination into life. The initial steps of the track are heavy and predacious, a Korn-esque hue soon wrapped in acidic melodies before things suddenly settle into a gentle yet slightly sinister calm. Skittish rhythms equally have an off-kilter edge to them as they court the melancholic melody playing in ears before the track erupts into another rousing trespass of the senses. Light and dark, mellow and raw textures continue to clash and entwine across the track as thoughts explore the two sides of their take on the title and the figure it provokes. It’s scary and welcoming sides battle in thoughts, the former winning the battle as the track twists and turns with increasing metal and raw rock ‘n’ roll voracity. Of course the theme and inspiration to the song, to any of the tracks, is not always going to match that conjured by the listener, every song allowing and encouraging the imagination to make their own interpretation of their aural suggestiveness.

Artwork: Harm ten Napel

The great start is quickly eclipsed by the outstanding maze of sound and styles making up electric black. Starting with an ears rapping roll of beats, the track spins a web of steely and winy grooves, two hues fuelling their irrepressible and addictive toxicity. The guitars move like animated vines across song and the senses, spicing up the imagination with their dark flirtation as the rhythms grouchily grumble below. As in the first, a more passive weave of sound emerges with a mystique toned air and melodic reflection though little time passes before the volatility of the moment brews tempestuous traits which lead back to the galvanic and rabid maelstrom with waspish grooves and nagging riffs to the fore.

The following u will fail envelops ears in a haunting caress initially, floating harmonic almost gossamer like vocals more a texture than a narrative in the brewing theatre of sound and temptation. Across its body, the early post punk like elements continue to inspire and excite as the song involves melodic and progressive rock enterprise into its cinematic tapestry. Often prowling and persistently imposing whilst stimulating ears and thoughts, the song is at times like a cold war romancing for the imagination in other moments a dystopian bred oppressor and all the time increasingly irresistible.

Fair to say it and its predecessor steal the show upon the Uncanny EP, yet the first song and the EP closing rat8 only add to the impressive nature and creativity of the release. The last song initially lays a solemn melodic mist which is soon alive with tendrils of guitar spawned rock ‘n’ roll before a black hearted descent of dark metal invades all. That too is a momentary incitement though as a post and progressive rock brewed climate washes over the senses whilst rhythms reveal great irritability and feverish tenacity to their character which in turn inspires something similar from guitars and bass. This too is just another emotively expressive moment in an ever evolving soundscape of a track where ears joyfully feel like they are in a creative rat run. It constantly leads and twists around on the listener, providing riveting rewards at every turn whilst never relenting in its busy and voraciously delicious manipulation.

There may be not too much background available to Uncanny yet but their music and EP has everything you need to know about their potential and their already impressive qualities which invite the imagination to go on their own thrilling adventures.

The Uncanny EP is out now on iTunes.

https://www.facebook.com/uncannysounds

Pete RingMaster 07/04/2016

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