Cauls
Garry from SAN PR recently dropped us a line about the upcoming EP, EP2, from North Eastern band Cauls. Due for release on the 25th of August 2012, this progressive, post hardcore outfit are inspired by the likes of At The Drive-In and mewithoutYou, fusing melody and aggression with an acute musicality. Having already been highlighted by BBC Introducing, I figured I should check out what was on offer from these guys for myself!
As Whistler opens the EP, there’s an eerie sense of dread created, the sound of drums paving the way into the beginning of things and creating an almost tribal, out there feel to things. Using this sense to build into the track beginning fully, the crescendo greets the introduction of the vocals, the backing track fading out to allow the vocals to be fully accentuated and once again, luring you into the eerie and dark mix and urging you to listen harder. Despite this sense of darkness and the bass heavy rhythms there’s also a sense of melody flowing through things, a sense that there is heavier to come, and a sense that this opening is representative of the drama which we can expect from the rest of the EP. As the full strength of the track is revealed by the introduction of a soaring, powerful guitar line and more conventional drum beat, this track is elevated to a new level, an atmospheric level where images are created, visions seen and powerful forces control your mind, as an opening track, this is quite frankly stunning.
Moving on to No Motion there’s almost a system shock as the power fades out once again and we’re thrown into an upbeat and jumpy melee of guitar lines, pounding drums and bass heavy moments which will have your ribs shaking. The upbeat sense to this track soon combines with that darkness once again, creating a sense that what you’re hearing may well be upbeat, but it’s still following the opening conventions of the EP. Throwing down into a catchy chorus it’s easy to see why this band have already begun taking the North East by storm, the intricacies within the music are plain to see and demonstrate that this is a band who understand song writing. Iris Brickfield once again defies convention in the opening moments, once again fading out to allow the new chapter to begin and ushering in a sense of melody and rhythm from the off. Detached from what you would expect from the previous track, the whispered vocals which lead into this track force you to listen harder before once again, shocking with another raucous atmospheric bass section. It’s striking how Cauls have formed their tracks, as simply they’re not like anything I’ve come across before and instead, forge a new path into music, a path un-trodden by bands and instead, forms a new genre reserved only for this new elite.
Moving on to The Durande we’re greeted by that signature quiet beginning to the track, only this time it’s moved to a new place. Using atmospheric sounds to create a soothing sense of calm and reflection, the opening moments of this track bring back memories buried deep inside you mind, things you’d forgotten, and things you wanted to forget. Dark and ominous, yet calming and emotional, the simplicity of this track is the key, allowing you to fill in the gaps for yourself and leaving you with no doubt that this is a band to keep an eye on from here onwards. It’s only left then to Ahsonnutli to close the EP, leaving on a more hard hitting and heavy approach and forming a sound which seems a million miles away from the preceding track. Upbeat yet still clinging to that sense of darkness and foreboding, the final moments of this EP are the heaviest and most syncopated for sure, yet demonstrate that this is a band who can form new sounds, generate new feelings and produce tracks which will sit you on your ass and simply make you say wow.
EP2 from Cauls is quite simply phenomenal, taking a genre which we think we understand and blowing away all of our misconceptions before leaving the listener breathless after hearing what they’re offering. Every single track on this EP comes as a shiny gem, a moment in music which forces you to think, changes your opinions, and shows you that there are still bands out there who can push a genre to its absolute limit. The new Muse….perhaps, but for now, forget comparisons and simply know that Cauls are here, and are going to be one hell of a force to be reckoned with.
To find out more about Cauls, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As Whistler opens the EP, there’s an eerie sense of dread created, the sound of drums paving the way into the beginning of things and creating an almost tribal, out there feel to things. Using this sense to build into the track beginning fully, the crescendo greets the introduction of the vocals, the backing track fading out to allow the vocals to be fully accentuated and once again, luring you into the eerie and dark mix and urging you to listen harder. Despite this sense of darkness and the bass heavy rhythms there’s also a sense of melody flowing through things, a sense that there is heavier to come, and a sense that this opening is representative of the drama which we can expect from the rest of the EP. As the full strength of the track is revealed by the introduction of a soaring, powerful guitar line and more conventional drum beat, this track is elevated to a new level, an atmospheric level where images are created, visions seen and powerful forces control your mind, as an opening track, this is quite frankly stunning.
Moving on to No Motion there’s almost a system shock as the power fades out once again and we’re thrown into an upbeat and jumpy melee of guitar lines, pounding drums and bass heavy moments which will have your ribs shaking. The upbeat sense to this track soon combines with that darkness once again, creating a sense that what you’re hearing may well be upbeat, but it’s still following the opening conventions of the EP. Throwing down into a catchy chorus it’s easy to see why this band have already begun taking the North East by storm, the intricacies within the music are plain to see and demonstrate that this is a band who understand song writing. Iris Brickfield once again defies convention in the opening moments, once again fading out to allow the new chapter to begin and ushering in a sense of melody and rhythm from the off. Detached from what you would expect from the previous track, the whispered vocals which lead into this track force you to listen harder before once again, shocking with another raucous atmospheric bass section. It’s striking how Cauls have formed their tracks, as simply they’re not like anything I’ve come across before and instead, forge a new path into music, a path un-trodden by bands and instead, forms a new genre reserved only for this new elite.
Moving on to The Durande we’re greeted by that signature quiet beginning to the track, only this time it’s moved to a new place. Using atmospheric sounds to create a soothing sense of calm and reflection, the opening moments of this track bring back memories buried deep inside you mind, things you’d forgotten, and things you wanted to forget. Dark and ominous, yet calming and emotional, the simplicity of this track is the key, allowing you to fill in the gaps for yourself and leaving you with no doubt that this is a band to keep an eye on from here onwards. It’s only left then to Ahsonnutli to close the EP, leaving on a more hard hitting and heavy approach and forming a sound which seems a million miles away from the preceding track. Upbeat yet still clinging to that sense of darkness and foreboding, the final moments of this EP are the heaviest and most syncopated for sure, yet demonstrate that this is a band who can form new sounds, generate new feelings and produce tracks which will sit you on your ass and simply make you say wow.
EP2 from Cauls is quite simply phenomenal, taking a genre which we think we understand and blowing away all of our misconceptions before leaving the listener breathless after hearing what they’re offering. Every single track on this EP comes as a shiny gem, a moment in music which forces you to think, changes your opinions, and shows you that there are still bands out there who can push a genre to its absolute limit. The new Muse….perhaps, but for now, forget comparisons and simply know that Cauls are here, and are going to be one hell of a force to be reckoned with.
To find out more about Cauls, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls