E.P Review: Sustinere - Vol.4
John Green wrote a novel called Looking For Alaska which resonated with me in my 20s'. It tells the story of a group of friends trying to find the details surrounding the mysterious death of the titular character, during the turbulent landscape of young adulthood. A quote appears in the book that solidifies an aspect of mental health issues I related to immensely. The self flagellation combining with the over reverential sentiments; the world stopped as the words jumped out and attacked from the page:
“So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was hurricane.”
------------------------------------
Sustinere are a two-piece from Chester that have just released their current E.P Vol 4. Fronted by Rob Jones on vocals/guitar with Mike Pierce on drums and backing vocals, Sustinere have elements of all the great two pieces in living memory in their arsenal; The ferocious ear for monster riffs like Royal Blood, the passion and intensity of Japandroids, and the ability to make you want to lose yourself to dance like Death From Above 1979. Their new E.P has been a few years in the making and is their fourth.
Opening track of Vol.4 and previous single 'Non Tempus' is the ideal indicator of what you're going to get here. The brief here is pulsating riffs and pounding drums that resonate with a blistering intensity ,and they fulfill that brief with room to spare. The recording has captured the band sounding live and spontaneous, which is where they thrive the most. The theme of the track is a universal one in the 21st Century as the extent of a mental health epidemic continues to unravel. Jones said this about the inspiration behind the lyrics:
"The main lyrical theme is not being able to escape anxiety on a day-to-day basis and not looking forward to going home from whatever you've been doing that occupies your brain, spending so much time worrying about things that it feels like you don't have time for yourself, anyone else or anything at all."
It's a theme that permeates the E.P from beginning to end, with the next track 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' reveling in the chaos as much as the film it shares a name with. Again the riff is absolute monster that will worm it's way into your consciousness. as Jones contemplates the nature of anxiety, depression and addiction and how it can consume the human spirit:
My eyes are on the sunset but my brain is in the rain.
It's a simple turn of phrase, but it lingers and accentuates the duality of the experience, just like the quote from Looking For Alaska. The importance of a lyric that can pack as much punch as the assault of the music. The tracks ends in a disorientating kaleidoscope of noise which adds an extra layer of resolution as it spirals to an impactful conclusion.
Single 'Watch Me Fall' has become a live favourite in the bands' set in recent months, and it's easy to see why. This is Sustinere at their most fiery, passionate and rocking; but is also perhaps one of the strongest and catchiest hooks they've produced to date. The riff could be an off cut from Around The Fur and that is much more of compliment than it sounds.
My only gripe here is that by the time 'Elsewhere' has finished, it's clear that the E.P needs something else added to the formula to bring it all home. Closer 'Over and Over' starts as if it's being recorded in a different room before becoming increasingly audible; a neat bit of studio trickery is always appreciated. It's here where the band throw a bit of curve ball. As the obligatory whopper of a riff settles like a fine pale ale, there has definitely been a change in lead vocal duties. Pierce steps up to plate and although it's a shaky start, it's the chorus where this pays off. He has a powerful growl that has a higher range than Jones, which will really open some possibilities on future recordings.
VOL 4 seems like a step forward for Sustinere and shows they can write stronger hooks and have improved their lyrical sentiments. They've stopped finding themselves in the drizzle and moved confidently into the hurricane with heads held high.
As ever, we recommend you buy music and merch directly from the band on their Bandcamp instead of streaming, but you know..You do you.
If you like what you read on NNWNF and want to help support independent alternative music journalism, you can Buy us a Coffee at the Q.R code above. Mine's a Flat White.
Comments
Post a Comment