Bringing the band’s trilogy of Cock Fight EPs in one riotous slab of essential rock ‘n’ roll, multinational rockers Sassy Kraimspri have unleashed a must have punk ‘n’ rock album of 2015 for all those yet to lay their destined to be lustful paws on the band’s previous releases. Consisting of musicians hailing from Norway, America, and Australia, the Stavanger hailing quartet have a sound to turn a party into a riot and a riot into unbridled debauchery, as evidenced in full explosive might by Cock Fight.
Sassy Kraimspri now consists of vocalist/guitarist Ida Collett Belle, guitarist Richard Belle, bassist Linda Pedersen, and Etienne on drums, the band itself emerging in 2006 with a sound which is part heavy rock, part punk, part rock pop, and all merciless seduction on body and soul. 2008 saw the release of debut album Dirty White Lies, the band just a duo back then of Ida Collett and drummer Tash Adams, who found success in Australian band SheRex. Three years later The Pussy Magnet EP was uncaged from the foursome, a well-received encounter recorded, as the Cock Fight EPs with producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death, The Wildhearts, Dimmu Borgir). Alongside these and the subsequent releases now making up the album, the band’s live presence has only grown and drawn continual acclaim, Sassy Kraimspri sharing stages with the likes of Skambankt, Melissa Auf der Maur, Casiokids, and Djerv along the way whilst playing in countries such as Canada, Norway, Australia, China, Germany, and the UK. The Cock Fight EPs awoke a new blaze of support and recognition in 2014, but together as Riot they forge one inescapable persuasion breeding full pleasure and in turn anticipation for the band’s sophomore album they are currently working on.
Looking at the songs in the order of the promo sent over (the actual order may differ on the release), the energies are ignited straight away with opener When It Rains, It Pours. Instantly gripping beats set ears and appetite off, their bait swiftly reinforced and matched by a heavily throated bassline. They alone set the tone for the enjoyment to be found across the release, but are a mere teaser for the rest of the track, and its subsequent companions, as guitars and vocals engage in magnetic enterprise and invigorating incitement. The song is a contagious affair, relatively restrained compared to some but an unrelenting weave of grooves and hooks that takes a firm hold of ears and appetite before making way for the outstanding Like a Drug. A spicy bass groove sets the lustful fun in motion, its gravelly twang the spark to a rhythmic swagger and similarly striding riffs. Like a blend of L7 and Breeders with the virulence of Spinnerette and punkish unpredictability of The Raincoats included, band and track bounce through ears like a sonic epidemic, infecting senses and psyche with its ferocious devilry.
Current single Riot brings its riveting brawl forth next, again grooves and hooks an almost salacious flirtation as fiercely enticing beats and a grizzly bassline set down a primal lure. As its predecessor, the track has its claws in body and vocal chords quickly, it’s anthemic drive and roar a puppeteer under the influence of Ida Collett’s bellowing voice. The exceptional incitement is followed by the punk rock tenacity of Bad Disease, a track expelling antagonistic beauty like a mix of Bikini Kill and The Donnas with a little touch of The Slits to it. Submission is immediate and long term as it is with the punchier and more predatory Clay Pigeons. Again it is an offering with a virulent swing as it heads towards a delicious crescendo posing as a chorus where an excellent mix of raw vocals burst from across the band.
Addiction is a full flooding by this point of the release and only intensifies as the song Cock Fight snarls and launches its predacious provocation on ears. With harmonically seductive vocals glancing off its muscular stroll, the track roams ears and emotions with a hard rock adventure to its tempestuously hued landscape. It does feel like it is ready to swing aggressive rhythmic punches and sonic causticity at the drop of a note or syllable but stays in check for another prowling infection, which also best describes the spicier lure of its successor Dig It. A bluesy tinge adds to the drama and resourceful adventure of the song, and though it does not quite match up to the plateau of those before it, a meaty bassline and rumbling rhythms beneath that ever enthralling vocal temptation, ensures it is another unmissable stomp.
Say What is pure rock ‘n’ roll manna, sonic endeavour from the guitars winding around ears as a sultry air hugs smouldering vocals to seduce senses and passions. The song is aural eroticism; a reason to immerse in Sassy Kraimspri all on its own, though that is something you can lay at the romping feet of most encounters within Cock Fight.
There is one last blaze of rebellious revelry on the release, a storming cover of Great Balls Of Fire which lives up to its name in heat and energy whilst taking the punk of Jerry lee Lewis to a new and modern ferocity. It is simply a great end to an outstanding rock ‘n’ roll uproar. If you have the previous EPs making up Cock Fight, you will have to wait a little longer for a new thrill whilst enjoying the encounters you already have but for newcomers to Sassy Kraimspri or part owners of their last trio of offerings, this is all your birthdays for the next decade in one exhausting and thrilling rampage.
Cock Fight is available from June 1st via Lady Luck Records digitally, on CD, and on vinyl.
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RingMaster 01/06/2015
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Lovely Linda Lustsalot. It is a primal lure soon joined by similarly addictive riffs and hooks from the guitars of Dick Deviant and Sassy Kraimspri, whose vocals blaze upon the ear the moment they touch. Driven by the resourceful and inciting rhythms of Etienne the Frenchman, the track swaggers with a defiant and saucy gait which itself enslaves attention. There is an instant indefinable familiarity to the song too, creating an old friend in new explosive clothes stance to make a recognisable yet fresh impact accentuated by the ridiculously anthemic chorus with its swinging hips and seductive lures. As the accompanying press release suggests there is a definite PJ Harvey edge to the vocals of Sassy whilst musically elements of L7 and Valentiine revel in the dusty hard rock and infectious punk exploits combined. The song is a riveting and extraordinarily thrilling encounter which puts the pressure of the other two tracks alongside it.