Innovation seems a fairly distant concept in heavy music as of late. Hardcore punk certainly is a beaten track, and it would seem that re-creation of the ‘glory years’ or just following the rest is the norm. Perhaps it’s the attempt that matters. Perhaps we have all simply heard so much music that the basis for what’s heavy or affective is constantly slimming. One thing that can be said of STRANGERS is that they are still trying.
Whether or not they will achieve this with their first full-length, Weight, is for the listener to decide. The record certainly builds on the aggressive and confrontational style hinted at in the 4-song demo “Holding” (which sold out completely in weeks). But Weight is also an album of maturity and progression that expands from the simple scope of pure aggression. Juxtaposing the speed and passion of d-beat influenced tracks like “Meursault Blues” and “Holding” is a real sensitivity to texture and dynamic, exemplified in a range of ways – from the midpaced and depressive plod of “You Crawl” to the unshackled and ephemeral fury of tracks like “With Faces” and “Expositions”; all of which show a desire to strip back to the basics of the rock genre.
All in all, maybe punk rock has had its day for shocking the listener, and the future is one of reshaping the past into new forms. While no band can claim to rise above their own musical influences, STRANGERS certainly aim to keep pushing that envelope into new and unsettling areas.
Band Members:
Rhydian (vocals)
James (guitar)
Rich (guitar)
Kalem (bass)
Jason (drums)
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Shade
muzic.net.nz Admin Joined: 17/07/02 Posts: 5072 Location: Manawatu View Profile |
Strangers Australian Tour Dates Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:00 pm Friday April 4th - BRISBANE - Kurilpa Warehouse, Ahimsa Building w/ Tear Gas, Stabbedintheguts, Septic Surge, Drunk with Power Saturday April 5th - SYDNEY - Sandringham Hotel w/ Fattura Della Morte, Vae Victis, Beyond Terror Beyond Grace Sunday April 6th - SYDNEY - Jura Books (Let's Talk About Text - music and book DIY festival) w/ Do Not Resuscitate, When Chimps Attack Tuesday April 8th - SYDNEY - Maggotville Warehouse w/ Off Minor (US), Crux, Diamond Sea Thursday April 10th - MELBOURNE - Pony w/ Delta Reds, Dad They Broke Me, Useless Children Friday April 11th - MELBOURNE - Warehouse (293 Lygon st, East Brunswick - entry through laneway off Albert st) w/ Schifosi, Majorca, Identity Theft, Watson Brown Saturday April 12th - ADELAIDE - Worldsend w/ Spacebong, Laser Death Ray, Prisonbitch, God God Dammit Dammit STRANGERS are a 5-piece group from Wellington, New Zealand. Late last year they released thei r debut album, "Weight", which gathered much critical praise and saw STRANGERS continuing a relentless schedule of touring and writing. Although musical blurbs cannot compete with the ferocity of the band's live performance, descriptions typically include words like 'intense', 'dark' and 'aggressive'. Fusing a hybrid of snide hardcore punk, rock and metal; STRANGERS are as influenced by Big Black as they are Entombed and Neurosis. Features current and ex-members of DAMAGED, SCAB, GUEST STABS HOST, DIAL, THE DEADLINE. |
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Shade
muzic.net.nz Admin Joined: 17/07/02 Posts: 5072 Location: Manawatu View Profile |
Strangers 'Weight'” album details and mini-documentary Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:12 pm Wellington group STRANGERS have almost finished their first full-length album, 'Weight', which is due for NZ release in mid-August. Without giving away too much just yet, the record certainly builds on the aggressive and confrontational style hinted at in the 4-song demo 'Holding' (which sold out completely in weeks). But 'Weight' is also an album of maturity and progression that shows a side of the band that fans of the earlier incantation (Guest Stabs Host) will find to be a complete departure from the old material. Juxtaposing the speed and passion of d-beat influenced tracks like 'Meursault Blues' and 'Holding' is a real sensitivity to texture and dynamic, exemplified in a range of ways – from the midpaced and depressive plod of 'You Crawl' to the unshackled and ephemeral fury of tracks like 'With Faces' and 'Expositions'; all of which show a desire to strip back to the basics of the rock genre. Tracklist: 1. Expositions 2. Meursault Blues 3. You Crawl 4. Time is Waiting in the Street 5. Teenagers 6. NOMA 7. With Faces Like the Backs of Thumb Tacks 8. Howl 9. Holding 10. Overborn (I was not born at the dawn of time) The album was recorded and mixed with Troy Kelly at STL Audio in Wellington and will be mastered by none other than James Plotkin (Khanate, ISIS, Pelican, OLD). The record will be released in mid-August, with preorders beginning in late July for a variety of package deals. 'Weight' is released in NZ by Action Man Records, with distribution in NZ through Rhythmethod. STRANGERS’ good friend Richard Burns (DIAL, Karaoke, Neon Bastard) has produced a mini-documentary on the recording of the album as a university project. There may yet be an extended version, but for now this gives a glimpse into the album’s construction: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EBCijkiYh_I |
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