After the rousing scuzz enticement of latest single KYMS, Australian duo Mannequin Death Squad uncage their debut mini-album Eat Hate Regurgitate to confirm all the mightily good things found in said single and it’s just as magnetic predecessor.
Emerging last year, Mannequin Death Squad consists of El and Dan; one girl, one boy who between them play and swap guitar and drums whilst offering their potent union of vocals. A striking presence on the Melbourne underground scene, the pair sparked attention with the single Sick earlier this year, following it up with the even more impressive and gripping KYMS a few weeks back. Both feature upon Eat Hate Regurgitate alongside a trio of new proposals which simply whip up attention and appetite for their scuzz punk devilry.
Released via the excellent UK indie Integrity Records (Million Dead, Horse Party, Valentiine), the release opens up with the raw magnetism of KYMS, a track raging “against the relentless pollution of our planet, the song inspired by a hatred of those who continue to defile and pollute the earth.” Plaintive strains of guitar make the first touch, swinging rhythms and caustic riffs the next as Dan vocally bursts into view with the warm tones of El in close attendance. It is raw and inviting, fiery and captivating, hooks and grooves a weave of temptation as the pair vocally dances around the senses. The track’s infectiousness is virulent but only part of the picture as darker shadows and textures blossom as the song progresses, its finale of an imposing and enjoyably oppressive nature breeding blues grooves and a sludgy climate before going out in a blaze of raw rock ‘n’ roll.
The impressive start is followed by Sick, a volcano of scathing pop punk with more bluesy flames in its melodic kiln as thumping and slightly predacious rhythms roam. Like a mix of My Baby, Karn8, and Valentiine, the track seizes ears and appetite swiftly, only tightening its hold midway as again the band suddenly twist into a whole new creative landscape which lifts things to another addictive level.
The muscular poppy romping of Sky comes next, its feisty canter carrying hues of bands such as Jack Killed Jill and The Melvins whilst creating its own character of unpredictability while Van Gogh snarls and aggressively bounces along before slipping into something more melodically and seductively comfortable. It is a strain of persuasion which switches between full-on assault and that bordering on salacious coaxing, casting a tempting which weakens knees in between having them feverishly stomping around. A great live air to the track only accentuates its glory, it challenging the opener for best track honours.
The album is concluded by the similarly addictive and enterprising Down, another swinging from bold energy to harmonic calm and leaving a greed for more in its wake. The track sums up everything great about Eat Hate Regurgitate and the Mannequin Death Squad sound in its four minutes plus and why so many are becoming rather excited about the twosome.
Eat Hate Regurgitate is released October 21st via Integrity Records.
https://www.facebook.com/mannequindeathsquad/ https://twitter.com/MannequinDsquad
Pete RingMaster 19/10/2016
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