"Tall Swallower And Dove"
(Suicide Squeez)
nine / ten
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THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES "Tall Swallower And Dove" (Suicide Squeez)
nine / ten |
Ah, These Arms Are Snakes. Probably my favourite band towards the end of 2008, having witnessed their pulsating live show when I caught them with Russian Circles in Dublin where they proceeded to rock it big time; and how well 2009 starts, when their new album falls into my unexercised post Christmas lap.
TAAS, for those of you yet to be washed by their brilliance, house former members of the legendary American hardcore band Botch, and the lesser known Nineironspitfire and hail from Seattle, a city well known for its creative rock bands and their tendency for original interesting music. This fearsome foursome create dark episodes calling to mind the epic sweeping post rock of Isis getting hammered by the pummelling kling klang noise rock of The Jesus Lizard.
Indeed, vocalist Steve Snere is possibly the closest thing I've seen to The Lizards manic legendary frontman David Yow - all heel kicking blood vessel busting wild man histrionics. Through songs such as 'Red Line Season' and 'Long and Lonely Step', the quartet combine to ring your neck, using microKorgs to attack your senses while angular guitars swirl and probe before relentlessly stabbing at your head and body.
It's an intense performance and one that you'll need to prepare yourself for, otherwise you'll take a good kicking. Their previous record Easter was absolutely top drawer yet they've managed to match it here, and as closing track 'Briggs' proves, there's more to come from this bunch yet.
These Arms Are Snakes have drawn a line in the sand and there aren't many bands out there good enough to cross it. With a split recording with the equally wonderful Minus The Bear on the cards (which will no doubt be a must have record) 2009 is shaping up to be the Year of the Snakes. Excellent.
Trevor Meehan
www.myspace.com/thesearmsaresnakes
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