Labels: Barely Regal Records/strictly no capital letters/Time As A Color/Kingfisher Bluez
Formats: LP/Digital
Release Date: 8th Dec 2017
Tracklist:
1. Four/Bi-Gone
2. Tried As Far
3. Web Held, Over/Under
4. Evil I Be Done
5. Hermitage
6. Short, Caught, Right Out Of Feeling
Last August I was lucky enough to see (and meet) Duct Hearts for the first time in Leeds. They were touring alongside Thisismenotthinkingofyou and Dym. I learnt recently that Dym had released an EP and I was given the chance to review it. Dym is a post-hardcore (by way of all kinds of musical influences) trio from London, who began life in 2016. After an initial demo tape, this is their second official release (except for the tape they produced specifically for their tour with Duct Hearts/TIMNTOY). All three members are extremely creative an are active in countless other projects, which means they can bring plenty of outside influence into this band.
From their gig with Duct Hearts et al. I remember Dym having a sort of lo-fi live sound but on record their sound is a lot more than that. Opener Four/Bi-Gone contains some lovely guitar riffs that sound like emoviolence/screamo riffs being slowed down to sludge-like tempos (that sounds weird but I know what I mean). The drums are quite easygoing and the vocals sit in the middle, slightly detached, which is probably where I got the lo-fi impression from in the first place. It’s experimental emo/indie and it’s a cross between Crash Of Rhinos and Simmer. Dym’s energy is felt more during Tried As Far, where they put more screamo influences into their music, especially in the vocals and the dissonance of the guitars. Web Held, Over/Under is another experimental (and sometime arty) number. It’s pretty restrained and there’s a brooding sense of foreboding that’s not often present in the sub-genre. The latter half especially is more violent and jarring at times.
Ambient textures make an appearance at the beginning of Evil I Be Done, which seems to nod towards Americana briefly. Aside from the almost whispered vocals towards the end, it’s an instrumental. Dym is pretty happy to play lengthier songs and Hermitage is the second one that reaches the six-minute or over mark. It’s beautiful though, staying true to their less-is-more approach to songwriting. Following Hermitage is the record’s closer, Short, Caught, Right Out Of Feeling. It’s intro riff seems to directly follow on from the main riffs towards the end of the penultimate song, which mean continuation is strong. Vocals-wise it’s the heaviest yet Dym doesn’t hold back on the melody. It’s a short piece and it ends abruptly, albeit with the final sounds of bass guitar(?)/ambience once again. “Ray’s Front Teeth” is a nice and relaxing record but with enough musical impact to make you take notice. I’d definitely file it next to the music of the bands I’ve mentioned above.
You can stream "Ray's Front Teeth" and get it as a name-your-price-download from Dym's bandcamp page below:-
Physical copies are available from the below labels:-
Barely Regal Records - http://barelyregalrecords.bigcartel.com
strictly no capital letters - http://sncl.collective-zine.co.uk
Time As A Color - http://timeasacolor.com/shop/product-category/time-as-a-color-releases/
Kingfisher Bluez - https://kingfisherbluez.bandcamp.com
Barely Regal Records - https://www.facebook.com/barelyregalrecords/
strictly no capital letters - https://www.facebook.com/strictlynocapitalletters/
Time As A Color - https://www.facebook.com/timeasacolor/
Kingfisher Bluez - https://www.facebook.com/kingfisherbluez/
No comments:
Post a Comment