Undercover Rabbis
So we were contacted a while back by the guys in Undercover Rabbis, a band that describe themselves as rock/post-rock/doom –which sounds like a pretty cool mix to me. Having just recorded their first studio album Empires, the band were keen for us to check out what they had on offer to see what we thought. Being the lovely people we are, and despite some technical difficulties leading to somewhat of a delay on things, we eventually sat back, hit play, and checked out what was going on with the guys!
Opening with An Empire Has Fallen things get off to a dark and heavy start, immediately kicking in with a hammering riff and pounding drum line to get things moving. Immediately showing off the doom edge of the band, things seem to grow around you as the track grows, the opening moments alternating from the pounding intro to a more laid back and slowed down approach, before reverting back once again, keeping things moving in a manner that will keep you listening, keep you guessing, and not give away too much until the moment the band are ready. Despite the slow and doom orientated approach there’s also a real sense of classic rock running through things here, showing off the bands roots and where they’ve come from. Sounds akin to Led Zeppelin and Metallica flow out of the guitars whilst the drums alternate between straight forward and syncopated, all the time keeping things interesting and different to what you might expect. Even going so far as to throw in a galloping beat to create a sense of movement in things, this opening track certainly showcases the style of the band, letting us know what we can expect from the rest of the album and leading us onwards further into it.
Moving Mountains presents us with a more conventional opening, this time keeping things slow but suggesting at a more ‘straight forward’ track to follow. Using the guitars to really get things going, the track builds around a roving bass line and creates a sense of movement, the sort of thing that you can’t help but tap a foot to or nod along to, it’s one of those sounds which is dark and heavy, yet melodic and accessible at the same time. We’re presented with Ruins next (see the video below) to keep things going, and what’s most notable is how all of a sudden the mood of the album seems to shift slightly. Moving away from the dark and doom orientated riffs initially, this track opens with an electronic approach which adds in a sense of uplifting harmony, almost matching the train of thought which this album causes and presenting us with a track designed to make you think. Matching the electronic approach with the guitar line, this is a track which stands out as different to the ones before it, not only because it’s 11 and a half minutes long, but also because of the shift in the approach which gets it going. Trombones, synth sounds, guitar work and a real sense of something different, this track is one which I’m not sure I understand, yet one which will keep you listening throughout to make sure you don’t miss anything. It’s also the first track where we see vocals incorporated, almost presenting us with the complete picture of the band and letting us know about what the rest of the album is going to offer us.
Turbulence of the Sun comes up next, once again returning us to the heavier side of the band and showing us their doom orientated approach once again. Deep and powerful, this track seems to once again grow around you, engulfing you in the mix from the band and letting you know that they’re by no means done yet. It’s striking how much of a sound these guys can create with their music, it’s like a rock opera in some ways, opening up the depths of what’s possible and showing us how it should be done! It’s only then left to Light On The Horizon to close things, finishing with another 11 minute anthem and presenting us with further evidence that these guys are taking their music to a whole new level. Dark, distorted, powerful and once again, out there, the final moments of this album finish on another strange note, yet leave you strangely satisfied at what you’ve heard, paving the way for what is to follow and showing us a band that are destined to push the boundaries of what we think we know.
Undercover Rabbis are one of those bands that don’t fit into a specific genre, instead opting to go down their own route and leave everyone guessing as to how they’re going to follow it. The album on offer here isn’t one which follows any convention or copies any band, instead presenting a sound which will confound, surprise, and leave you wondering what’s coming next. I’ll be interested in keeping an eye on these guys to see what comes next, I think it’s going to be an interesting ride!
To find out more about Undercover Rabbis, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Check out the video for Ruins below!
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with An Empire Has Fallen things get off to a dark and heavy start, immediately kicking in with a hammering riff and pounding drum line to get things moving. Immediately showing off the doom edge of the band, things seem to grow around you as the track grows, the opening moments alternating from the pounding intro to a more laid back and slowed down approach, before reverting back once again, keeping things moving in a manner that will keep you listening, keep you guessing, and not give away too much until the moment the band are ready. Despite the slow and doom orientated approach there’s also a real sense of classic rock running through things here, showing off the bands roots and where they’ve come from. Sounds akin to Led Zeppelin and Metallica flow out of the guitars whilst the drums alternate between straight forward and syncopated, all the time keeping things interesting and different to what you might expect. Even going so far as to throw in a galloping beat to create a sense of movement in things, this opening track certainly showcases the style of the band, letting us know what we can expect from the rest of the album and leading us onwards further into it.
Moving Mountains presents us with a more conventional opening, this time keeping things slow but suggesting at a more ‘straight forward’ track to follow. Using the guitars to really get things going, the track builds around a roving bass line and creates a sense of movement, the sort of thing that you can’t help but tap a foot to or nod along to, it’s one of those sounds which is dark and heavy, yet melodic and accessible at the same time. We’re presented with Ruins next (see the video below) to keep things going, and what’s most notable is how all of a sudden the mood of the album seems to shift slightly. Moving away from the dark and doom orientated riffs initially, this track opens with an electronic approach which adds in a sense of uplifting harmony, almost matching the train of thought which this album causes and presenting us with a track designed to make you think. Matching the electronic approach with the guitar line, this is a track which stands out as different to the ones before it, not only because it’s 11 and a half minutes long, but also because of the shift in the approach which gets it going. Trombones, synth sounds, guitar work and a real sense of something different, this track is one which I’m not sure I understand, yet one which will keep you listening throughout to make sure you don’t miss anything. It’s also the first track where we see vocals incorporated, almost presenting us with the complete picture of the band and letting us know about what the rest of the album is going to offer us.
Turbulence of the Sun comes up next, once again returning us to the heavier side of the band and showing us their doom orientated approach once again. Deep and powerful, this track seems to once again grow around you, engulfing you in the mix from the band and letting you know that they’re by no means done yet. It’s striking how much of a sound these guys can create with their music, it’s like a rock opera in some ways, opening up the depths of what’s possible and showing us how it should be done! It’s only then left to Light On The Horizon to close things, finishing with another 11 minute anthem and presenting us with further evidence that these guys are taking their music to a whole new level. Dark, distorted, powerful and once again, out there, the final moments of this album finish on another strange note, yet leave you strangely satisfied at what you’ve heard, paving the way for what is to follow and showing us a band that are destined to push the boundaries of what we think we know.
Undercover Rabbis are one of those bands that don’t fit into a specific genre, instead opting to go down their own route and leave everyone guessing as to how they’re going to follow it. The album on offer here isn’t one which follows any convention or copies any band, instead presenting a sound which will confound, surprise, and leave you wondering what’s coming next. I’ll be interested in keeping an eye on these guys to see what comes next, I think it’s going to be an interesting ride!
To find out more about Undercover Rabbis, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Check out the video for Ruins below!
Words: Dave Nicholls
