Though not their first offering, we will admit that Donor Fatigue is our introduction to UK outfit Quella and the beginning of close attention such its striking persuasion on ears. Offering four slices of the band’s progressive punk/metal which truly embraces much more than that tag suggests, the EP provides a gripping landscape of imagination and noise which demands and devours attention.
Coming out of London and Brighton, Quella have built a potent fan base through their previous releases including the Fantastischen! EP of last year and a live presence which has seen them share stages with the likes of Sumer, Core of iO, In Search of Sun, Black Orchid Empire, Gold Key, and Dirty Sound Magnet. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Lewis Johns (Conjurer, Rolo Tomassi, Gnarwolves, Employed to Serve), Donor Fatigue would spark no surprise if it drew even greater attention and a new horde of ears the way of the band, indeed such its riveting adventure we expect it.
The EP opens with Crown Of Flies and immediately lured intrigue with its cinematic sample and sparked eager attention with the tempest of sound which swiftly follows. It in turn breeds a punchy and lyrically pungent canter as infectious as it is barbarous. The striking tones and imaginative words of vocalist Stefano Sebastianelli stand at the core of the captivation, the voracious rhythms of drummer Adam Parker and bassist Lee Davidson predacious temptation alongside breeding the drama as the guitar of Bean sonically shapes he song’s adventure. A fusion of punk, noise rock, and metallic dexterity, the song is simply superb and more compelling by the rock induced twist and imagination flooded turn.
Though it remained our favourite moment within the EP, it is regularly challenged if not dethroned within Donor Fatigue, with Smalltown Eiderdown the first to stake its suggestive claim. Instantly accosting ears with a dirty tide of riffs and senses swiping beats, the song just as quickly reveals spiky hooks and melodic taunting within its contagious and volatile body. Southern tinged grooves only add to the appetite nagging stoner lined lure of the song, its persuasion multi-faceted and all-consuming in voice and sound.
Loyal To The Lie teases with hard rock stranded enticement initially but no surprise as a thickly and varied flavoured web of sound and imagination grows from it, the band’s progressive instincts entangling punk and anthemic rock dexterity before its brief but potent presence makes way for the groove punk riot of Them Apples. Entering with a similar melodic involvement to that its predecessor left in, the track keenly uncages its rapacious rock ‘n’ roll wolfishness amidst a feral but composed breath. It is a galvanic mix which is likely to arouse the spirit of punk and hard rocker alike.
That last suggestion applies to Donor Fatigue as a whole, a release which has brought a new and already eagerly devoured pleasure in the shape of Quella to us at The RR
Donor Fatigue is released 22nd November with pre-ordering available now @ https://quella.bandcamp.com/album/donor-fatigue
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Pete RingMaster 19/11/2019
Copyright RingMasterReview: MyFreeCopyright
A Time Imagination Forgot To Inspire instantly consumes ears in a spicy sonic enticement punctuated by the roving beats of drummer Justin Eastwood. The imagination is as swiftly enthralled, especially as the fine voice of Dan Feast entangles itself in the fascinating drama and contagious enterprise quickly flooding the track. Raw vocals squalls break out throughout to enjoyably contrast and challenge the blazing infectiousness seducing the emotions, they backed by the increasingly predacious hues cast by the bass of Chris Hepworth and the grouchy torrent of riffs springing from the strings of guitarist Chris Harrison from within his otherwise virulent and catchy fire of melodic imagination.