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
https://www.facebook.com/quellaband/ https://twitter.com/quellaofficial
Pete RingMaster 19/11/2019
Copyright RingMasterReview: MyFreeCopyright
Deference provides the first pair of songs, starting things off with Sins. The band has seen their melodic metal constantly lure a host of new fans particularly from sharing stages with the likes of Bless The Fall, Miss May I, Fit For A King, Currents, Rolo Tomassi and Napoleon in recent times. Their first track initially coaxes ears with a suggestive melody, a calm but potent lure soon joined by the carnivorous textures of Dennison and Jonathan Prince’s guitars. Rhythms are less eager but resonate with every growl of Shaun Kirtland’s bass and the swinging attack of drummer Mike Hill, until it all boils over in a rousing roar. Even then there is a certain control to the eruption, a creative prowess which perfectly aligns to the growing vocal spread of enterprise. Drama soaks every note unveiled as too rich imagination, the track giving hints as to why the band has been compared to the likes of Architects and Northlane.
The release opens with Scavengers. A steely shimmer initially coaxes ears, senses strapping riffs soon following as rhythms and guitars grumble around the plaintive vocal roar of Rob Lea. That djent styled essence is equally as swift infecting song and satisfaction, the guitars of Matt Dennison and Jonathan Prince creating a spiky attitude and touch in their emerging weave of enterprise. Strapped to the muscular grouch of Shaun Kirtland’s bass and the animosity loaded swings of drummer Mike Hill, the track is a formidable introduction to the EP; not necessarily unique but relentlessly exhilarating.
The single is the first release from Abandcalledboy as a quartet and shows a shift in direction of sound from the foursome of Ryan Burrowes, Adam Smith, Mark Finnegan, and newest member Chris Ryan. George Best In Show is the first to step forward and in the matter of two breaths has ears and appetite enslaved with its almost voracious rhythmic shuffle. The swinging beats border on salacious and are irresistibly inviting as the surrounding tempting of guitar brings a B-52s like teasing to its melodic mischief. It is not the only thing worming away under the skin and into the psyche though, a sonic bluster erodes the senses with its caustic noise whilst a dark menacing bass tone simply adds to the addictive tempest. It sounds like it is a threatening start but it is the complete opposite, in fact it is a gloriously captivating stirring up of air and listener which levels out into a more stable though still agitated landscape once warm vocals join the affair. The song continues to impress and inescapably seduce, slowly raising its intensity and sonic causticity again towards a blistering finale. There seems to be hints of bands like XTC, Baddies, and Swound! in the song but spices in something predominantly unique.
The EP opens up with the band’s current single Get Out, Get Out! and swiftly has ears engaged in a blend of riffs and melodies. It is a raw introduction mellowing out with the clean vocals of Walsh who in turn reveals his prowess at offering raucous throat bred squalls and angst hued harmonies. His delivery is nothing less than impressive, something applying to all elements of the band to be fair. Bleeding addictive citric grooves and disorientating rhythms, the track continues to explore a widening expanse of rock music for a potent start to the EP, though the song is the ‘weakest’ on the EP for personal tastes with the major excitement and might of Kill The Silence coming in the following trio of tracks.
