The Snake Behaviour - Album Review: Serpent Psychology
Christchurch-based rock band The Snake Behaviour have recently released their debut full-length album entitled Serpent Psychology. Having been familiar with the band’s name, but not their music, I was nervously excited to check this out. Consisting of the classic four-piece line-up (vocals, guitars, bass, and drums), this is a tight, fast, lean, and well-oiled machine. The album itself shows a maturity within the playing, song-writing, and arranging, yet simultaneously a youthful exuberance of energy and fun.
The album kicks off with the melodic stomp-rocker, Ragnarok; a catchy, foot-tapping, head-banging, fist-pumping alternative-rock track that, due to vocalist Chris Bull’s vocal delivery, leans also into the arena of modern punk. This is a track that lays down a massive groove that compels, nay demands, you to move, and must absolutely rip the roof off venues when played live. Who knew that a song named after the end (and rebirth) of the world could be so goddamn fun?
Nestled in the middle of Serpent Psychology is what initially seems like an odd decision. A relatively faithful cover of the Pennywise classic, Bro Hymn, featuring slightly altered lyrics to honour more local heroes that the band have lost. Kicking off with a heavily filtered riff by guitarist Michael Gibbs, The Snake Behaviour deviate from the original by bringing in the full band much earlier. It is with this arrival of the confident, composed, yet driving rhythm section of bassist Sam Grueber and drummer Samuel Keen, that the song picks up the momentum that it carries with it through to the final notes. As a long-time fan of the original (and Pennywise’s own updated version), it took me a few listens to really get my head around this, to thoroughly enjoy, and to truly appreciate the subtle changes this version brings. Highlights of this song are the absolute face-melter of a guitar solo, the rock-solid and powerful rhythm section, and the gut-wrenchingly tortured, raw, and incredibly heartfelt vocal delivery closing out the final verse.
Other highlights (for me) of this album include the relentless Reaper, the slow-burning closing track The Nameless, and the alt-rocker Colour Runs Cold. This is a solid effort, a great foundation from which to build the next album/EP, and an album that ultimately makes me want to make sure I catch this band in a live setting, as I am sure that these tracks would absolutely slay live!
About The Snake Behaviour
Built on a bed of thunder from their head splitting engine room in the form of bassist Sam Grueber and drummer Samuel Keen, and the classic heavy rock riffs of tallismanic guitarist Michael Gibbs, the band has evolved to pioneer their own brand of music, part heavy rock, part metal, and, with the influence of long time front man Chris Bull, part punk as well. The Snake Behaviour are that band that have their backs against the wall, but plenty of F#$k you ready to fly.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The Snake Behaviour
Other Reviews By JamieDenton
EP Review: SD-2100 vs The World
05 Sep 2023 // by JamieDenton
Hailing from Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), the multi-talented artist Sam Densem has showcased his versatility across a spectrum of musical genres and styles. Sam's approach to his craft involves crafting distinct packages of music, each with its own unique flavour and character.
Read More...
Lester - EP Review: Lost and Found
28 Aug 2023 // by JamieDenton
Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland-based MC Lester (ex-Round Buddha) is not a new name within Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent music scene. Indeed, Lester has carved a distinct presence for himself since his early releases in 2017.
Read More...
Sonic Space Lab - Album Review: Cycles
20 Jul 2022 // by JamieDenton
Sonic Space Lab is the musical pseudonym of Dunedin-based, Venezuelan composer and sound engineer Luis Rodriguez, who some may know from his guitar work in Dunedin’s Tomahawk Radio. Having spent more than 20 years writing music for television, film, and advertising and collaborating with countless musicians in both musician and producer roles, Luiz Rodriguez turned his hand to Sonic Space Lab (also the name of his studio) in the mid-late 2010’s.
Read More...
Arrays - Single Review: Glass Traps
06 Jun 2022 // by JamieDenton
Auckland-based rock/metal act Arrays is the brainchild and ‘creative sandbox’ of musician/producer JP Carroll (ex-Armed in Advance, and currently also with Swerve City). Having known JP for a number of years, and having followed his career through Stitches, which became Armed in Advance, and then into Arrays and later Swerve City, he has consistently remained a strong creative force, a passionate and prolific producer and performer of music, and possibly kiwi-music’s most genuine, nicest, and most down to earth personalities (albeit one that is loaded with a plethora of terrible puns that he will unleash at any and all opportune moments).
Read More...
Speech Act Theory - Single/Video Review: Old Versus New
25 Feb 2022 // by JamieDenton
Initially conceived of as purely a studio project to fuse electronica with live drums and other instruments, Auckland-based alternative/electronica Speech Act Theory is the brainchild of producer/musician Pete Hickman alongside drummer Ben Bradford. With the project kicking off in the latter end of 2019 — which is probably not the greatest timing, with all the upcoming turmoil and disruption to live music etc.
Read More...
Steven Hue - EP Review: Assembly
15 Feb 2022 // by JamieDenton
At the start of December, I had the opportunity to review the double single Brainstare / Manatorquim by Tasmanian-based ex-pat Kiwi, Steven Hue. At that time, I noted that another three songs would be following shortly, and that, based on the strength of these original two, I was eagerly anticipating what this next batch would have in store.
Read More...
Floor Five - EP Review: The Garden
28 Jan 2022 // by JamieDenton
Indie-pop/rock band Floor Five are relative new-comers on the Kiwi music scene. Following up a couple of previous singles (2020’s Overthinking and 2021’s Strawberry Wine), the Wellington based four-piece’s partially crowd-funded EP The Garden was released just as the country returned to the red light setting of the Covid protection framework.
Read More...
Steven Hue - Double Single Review: Brainstare / Mantorquim
06 Dec 2021 // by JamieDenton
Ex-pat Kiwi now based in Tasmania, Steven Hue may be familiar to many through his previous work as former vocalist and co-writer for popular experimental band Full Code, his stint studying at the Nelson School of Music, or his commission work which has seen him produce work for art installations, short files, and video games. Turning his hand to solo electronic music, Steven has just released a double single of two new tracks: Brainstare and Manatorquim.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
