There is a great nagging quality to the sound of Finnish punk ‘n’’ rollers Basementones and in fine insistence within their new EP No ease, No rest, No mercy. Easily tempting ears on its first couple of listens, the release leaves the seeds of addictiveness behind; lures which spark that just one more time repetition which in turn leads to another and more obsessive qualities.
Released on Undead Artists, the EP comes four years after the release of the band’s debut album Let There Be Noise which followed their first EP Gambler of 2012. Being introduced to the band through No ease, No rest, No mercy, with thanks to a certain Johnny Rose (Thirteen Shots), founder of said label, what the band has been up to between releases we cannot say though plenty of shows seems a good guess, that and, with hindsight, the more audible honing of a sound which instinctively gets under the skin with its mix of punk rock, psychobilly, and numerous other aspects of rock ‘n’ roll.
The quartet gets down to business straight away with opener The Call, hooks and swinging rhythms instantly colluding as vocalist Jani snarls and growls in his distinctive way. The melodic dexterity of Kinnunen matches the lure of his grooves and lively hooks whilst the string slapping prowess of double bassist Tuukka needs little time to stoke instinctive ardour for throbbing suggestive basslines. Punk and rock ‘n’ roll unite in the voracious swing of the track, Lahu’s lively beats fuelling it all with tenacious energy and urgency as the EP gets off to a flying start.
And there is no time to grab a breath as the outstanding Green Bastards steps in with a spicy groove which within another second launches virulent hooks and a pulsating flirtatious bassline from within its salacious temptation. With Jani adding his raw catchiness to the contagion, the track is pure infection and the best track on offer though closely courted by the likes of the rockabilly swinging Cellmates Of Lunacy. There is a touch of The Peacocks to the track but it is soon bound in the Basementones’ character of sound and expression as other spices adds to an increasingly compelling tapestry.
A country/cowpunk hue comes with the resourceful exploits of The House its creative rustling soon twisting things into an individual proposal which bounds along with zeal and infectious dexterity if not quite matching the heights of those before it or the outstanding antics of final track No Regrets. The psychobilly essences of the third song are even more vocal within the EP closer, their sultrily toxic hues merging with horrorpunk/punk escapades as the release is given a boisterous and increasingly rousing finale.
Given the sound and potent lure of No ease, No rest, No mercy it is surprising we have not come across Basementones before but better late than never.
No ease, No rest, No mercy is out now digitally and on red vinyl through Undead Artists @ https://basementones.bandcamp.com/ and https://undeadartists.bandcamp.com/album/no-ease-no-rest-no-mercy
https://www.facebook.com/Basementones/
Pete RingMaster 04/07/2017
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