For some reason we always feel we need a hot intensive shower after listening to UK outfit Ragweed and their greedily rapacious sound. It is possible because from the release of their debut album Parerga in 2014 it has increasingly proved itself to be a raw and dirty infestation of punk fuelled noise which trespasses every pore. Last year’s single Silver Spoons revealed a fresh essence and new evolution to their music which the ear bending, senses exhausting Breathing Holes EP, now voraciously continues.
The new encounter is not so much a mixed bag of temptation but definitely one which has numerous angles and hues to its character of which some needed little time to ignite an already in place appetite for the band’s sound while others hankered after much more attention to pretty much just as successfully persuade. Silver Spoons hit the spot right away and with increasing rigour play by play, Breathing Holes across five rousing hollers emulates its success at times but also offers up other moments which take their to work towards the same persuasion.
The trio of vocalist/guitarist Tom Adamson, bassist Callum Regelous-Cooke, and drummer Josh Pingram have linked up again with Alan Douches (Motorhead, Cancer Bats, Every Time I Die, and Screaming Females) for the mastering of the new EP, its release coming once more through Milky Bomb Records. Straight away it imposes its presence on ears, the opening heavy almost sludgy touch of first track Cansema infesting the senses before it relaxes for a grungier cry which in turns leads to an eruption to noise rock intensity. It is a cycle which repeats, magnetic in its evolution and intriguing in where it will subsequently lead which turns out to be a groove woven stroll of heavy rock ‘n’ roll.
It is an opening enticement which nags away with increasing temptation play by play and is followed by the more immediately persuasive Backbite. A tenacious mix of punk and noise rock, the track is a magnetic clamour with catchiness in its foundations and a rousing holler in its breath. Reminding of Bristol band, The St Pierre Snake Invasion at times, the song had us stomping and bawling in no time, responses just as eager for next up Thought This Through. Almost corrosively raw yet with an infectious quality which lines every twist and turn, the track grabs appetite and participation with quick ease, its punk ‘n’ roll bellow and body trespassing swagger inescapable.
Down the Drain is Ragweed at their punk best and unashamedly devious as hooks and riffs niggle and invade like a filth coated virus as the song brawls with the senses before Up ‘n’ Under brings the release to a close with its groove clad grumble. Again there is a coincidental hue of the previously mentioned Bristolians to the song which adds to the track’s organic magnetism, grooves colluding with hooks and imagination for a voracious blaze of sound and intent.
There is no doubt that Breathing Holes really grows in presence and temptation across every play but has plenty to inspire such attention from the off. We personally have found it very easy to nurture an appetite for Ragweed and their sound through their previous records and with a growing greed which the new EP has only encouraged again.
Breathing Holes is available now via Milky Bomb Records @ https://ragweed-milkybomb.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ragweedragweed https://twitter.com/ragweedrock
Pete RingMaster 18/05/2018
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
The RingMaster Review 
Leave a Reply