Mortdelamer
Garry from SAN PR recently dropped us a line about the new EP, Words Within The Wires, from British alternative rock crew, Mortdelamer. Due for release on October 1st 2012, the band have taken influence from the likes of Muse, Biffy Clyro and Incubus to form their own unique take on music, presenting us with a sound which will make us think, make us listen, and make us enjoy. Having already been together since 2008, this is a band that have been working hard to craft their sound, so I thought it only right we check out the fruits of their labours!
From the opening moments of Pieces And Reasons we’re not given a lot to go on, a strange vocal line opening things before we’re ushered into a strange and dark mix of bass heavy rhythms. Soon assuming the more convention approach as the vocals kick in, the mix adopts a sound which is going to entice you to listen harder, the soft vocal melodies echoing out over the bass heavy and sludgy backing music to form contrast after contrast throughout the music, showing that this is a band that understands the complexities of their music, understand how to form their tracks and know what their mission is. There’s a real catchy edge to this track, somehow offering up a rhythm and melody which is sure to engage people and get them listening to the band, almost sounding like they could venture into the mainstream world and still achieve success, it’s a careful balance with their authenticity yet they seem to have achieved it.
Moving on to I’ve Got My Backbone we’re once again shown the bands influences and what they’ve done with them. Opening in a far more upbeat manner and sounding akin to the likes of Biffy Clyro, this is a track which is sure to get people singing along, dancing and wanting to see the band live. Powerful yet restrained, heavy and hard hitting yet melodic throughout, there’s a real mix running throughout this track which is going to build a solid fanbase both in the metal and rock world, and also in the mainstream side of things. The same sort of vibe continues with Fade, this time opening with a far more ‘out there’ approach and slowly building into the track. Sounding almost restrained at first, the movements which this track works through sets it out as a serious high point on the EP, showing that there’s more to this band than simple songs! The restrained soon moves into catchy and upbeat moments, the whole mix forming a track which is catchy, powerful and the sort of thing which you know is going to be a success both live, and on the radio given the opportunity. Standing out as my own personal favourite track from the EP, this is one to make sure you check out!
Following on with The Hide, once again we’re returned to the more reflective and calming notes of earlier tracks, the music this time building around you to form a sound which is simply going to envelop you and make you sit back, take it all in and allow it to lead you into the track. The laid back guitar seems to combine with the syncopated and powerful drumming, all backing up the soft vocal line which leads us into things and keeps us listening. Standing out as another powerful track on the EP, the emotional content of this track stands it out as one to check out, relying on the power of their message rather than the power of the distortion pedal. It’s then only left to Searching For Safety to close things, finishing the EP on a more upbeat and conventional note but letting you know that the band haven’t changed their message. The catchiness of this track once again stands it out as a track to make sure you check out, the feminine vocals echoing out over the backing track to form a sound which is full of emotion, powerful and catchy at the same time. It would be clichéd to say the EP finishes on a high, but simply, it does, paving the way for what ever is going to follow next.
I quite like the sound that Mortdelamer have gone for as it’s beyond simply, showing that there are bands out there who don’t follow the conventions dictated to them by major music labels and instead, craft music which they want to create, music which means something to them and shows off their understanding and skill in the best possible way. This is a band I look forward to hearing more from in the future, certainly one to look out for!
To find out more about Mortdelamer, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
From the opening moments of Pieces And Reasons we’re not given a lot to go on, a strange vocal line opening things before we’re ushered into a strange and dark mix of bass heavy rhythms. Soon assuming the more convention approach as the vocals kick in, the mix adopts a sound which is going to entice you to listen harder, the soft vocal melodies echoing out over the bass heavy and sludgy backing music to form contrast after contrast throughout the music, showing that this is a band that understands the complexities of their music, understand how to form their tracks and know what their mission is. There’s a real catchy edge to this track, somehow offering up a rhythm and melody which is sure to engage people and get them listening to the band, almost sounding like they could venture into the mainstream world and still achieve success, it’s a careful balance with their authenticity yet they seem to have achieved it.
Moving on to I’ve Got My Backbone we’re once again shown the bands influences and what they’ve done with them. Opening in a far more upbeat manner and sounding akin to the likes of Biffy Clyro, this is a track which is sure to get people singing along, dancing and wanting to see the band live. Powerful yet restrained, heavy and hard hitting yet melodic throughout, there’s a real mix running throughout this track which is going to build a solid fanbase both in the metal and rock world, and also in the mainstream side of things. The same sort of vibe continues with Fade, this time opening with a far more ‘out there’ approach and slowly building into the track. Sounding almost restrained at first, the movements which this track works through sets it out as a serious high point on the EP, showing that there’s more to this band than simple songs! The restrained soon moves into catchy and upbeat moments, the whole mix forming a track which is catchy, powerful and the sort of thing which you know is going to be a success both live, and on the radio given the opportunity. Standing out as my own personal favourite track from the EP, this is one to make sure you check out!
Following on with The Hide, once again we’re returned to the more reflective and calming notes of earlier tracks, the music this time building around you to form a sound which is simply going to envelop you and make you sit back, take it all in and allow it to lead you into the track. The laid back guitar seems to combine with the syncopated and powerful drumming, all backing up the soft vocal line which leads us into things and keeps us listening. Standing out as another powerful track on the EP, the emotional content of this track stands it out as one to check out, relying on the power of their message rather than the power of the distortion pedal. It’s then only left to Searching For Safety to close things, finishing the EP on a more upbeat and conventional note but letting you know that the band haven’t changed their message. The catchiness of this track once again stands it out as a track to make sure you check out, the feminine vocals echoing out over the backing track to form a sound which is full of emotion, powerful and catchy at the same time. It would be clichéd to say the EP finishes on a high, but simply, it does, paving the way for what ever is going to follow next.
I quite like the sound that Mortdelamer have gone for as it’s beyond simply, showing that there are bands out there who don’t follow the conventions dictated to them by major music labels and instead, craft music which they want to create, music which means something to them and shows off their understanding and skill in the best possible way. This is a band I look forward to hearing more from in the future, certainly one to look out for!
To find out more about Mortdelamer, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls