Concluding their 9/10 review of Godlust, the full-length debut album from Isle Of Eigg based band, The Massacre Cave, Ave Noctum stated “This highly original album takes us on an energetic journey to other spheres, and I sense that there’s plenty more in this band’s tank.” Sadly, Godlust in fact proved to be The Massacre Cave’s epitaph – but Ave Noctum were not wrong in recognising a well of creative possibilities awaiting to be tapped. One half of The Massacre Cave have risen from the ashes of their previous project – multi-instrumentalist Joe Cormack and drummer Pete Colquhoun – with a new band that explores new territories, new depths of emotion…Electric Sun Defence. And the first Electric Sun Defence album is ready to be unveiled; the expansive, progressive, honest and intense, Estuary.
“Lyrically, the estuary becomes a metaphor for inevitability: the idea that all effort, motion, and resistance ultimately move toward the same end. Life isn’t framed as a clean, purposeful river, but as something far less controlled.”
– Joe Cormack
Opening with the introductory ‘Shimmer’, a sunrise of sound, a moment of light, Estuary moves gracefully into its title track. This remarkable piece, pivotal to the album as a whole, holds so much of what Electric Sun Defence are and what they have to offer. It captures geographical positioning, placing the listener on the water’s edge at the break of day, in an instant of tranquil reflection, before expanding and unfurling, breaking into effervescent life, becoming heavier, unrestrained, frenetic…introducing the contrasts and juxtapositions which lie at the album’s heart in a confluence of peace and anxiety. Each song that follows in the wake of ‘Estuary’ contains a myriad of different movements, drawing from a remarkable range of sonic colours, nothing is simple or singular in nature. There is more to each piece than seems reasonable or possible. ‘His Will’ begins in a measured, controlled fashion, the guitar adding spiralling reels, before sublime vocals lead us into floating textures and frantic rhythms – an ever-shifting complex architecture. There’s brilliantly realised up-tempo rock, with dancing riffs and a flickering solo; harsh, impassioned vocals and a final deft return to tranquillity. The aggressively titled ‘Choke Leper’ emerges through gentle, melodic progression before rich, heavy chords power through the stillness, riffs growing organically like roots and branches from their imposing stature. Darkness and light contrast, then combine, blending to create a third alternate state. ‘Phantom Limb Amputee’ is adventurous, dextrous…jumping, flailing, impossible to pin down; like a body overflowing with adrenaline that simply cannot rest or switch off until it finally collapses in exhaustion. And at album’s end we find ‘In Bestia’, where peace follows madness follows thoughtful introspection follows desperate anger and on and on and on. It’s hugely ambitious and also poignantly relatable, as we all recognise the weariness we feel as our emotions dance around our lonely, frightened core. The ending, when it comes, is abrupt. The sudden silence a powerful final effect.
“This reflects a worldview where existence is defined by constant adaptation – being knocked off course, responding to unexpected forces, and continuing regardless. In that sense, ‘Estuary’ isn’t a song about despair, but about acceptance: recognising the lack of control, finding meaning within it, and carrying both hope and grief toward the same horizon.”
– Joe Cormack
With Pete Colquhoun’s drums being recorded by Graeme Young (Dog Tired, DVNE etc), who also contributed his skills to Estuary’s deft and meticulous mix, and the mastering being handled by the renowned Alan Douches (Baroness, Mastodon, Cannibal Corpse etc) this album sounds little short of magnificent; each instrument possessing depth and immediacy and being given space to breathe, contribute and influence. Estuary will be released by Road To Masochist, a label that the band feel shares their ethos – “uncompromising, viscerally charged, and unafraid to sit in uncomfortable spaces.” Look for it on CD digipack and digital formats from May 8th and be prepared for something special – something challenging and rewarding in equal measure.
LINKS:
Visit all the Electric Sun Defence’s links at Linktree
Visit the website of Road To Masochist
Visit Road To Masochist on Facebook
