Still - A Theft

Labels: Floodlit Recordings

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 15 Nov 2024

Tracklist:

1. Yearn

2. Only Time Will Tell

3. Light

4. Dark

5. Oscillate

6. Life Eclipses Living

7. Small Mercies Of Falling Apart

8. Unresolved

Last Tuesday I attended my first Bandcamp listening party in quite some time. When the online listening parties first stared, they were a great way for fans and bands on the platform to interact, and bond over a new release outside of a live setting. While Bandcamp as a platform might be changing in ways that aren't universally popular, these listening parties are still a great idea and this one gave me the opportunity to hear A Theft by Hull's post-black metal/hardcore band Still prior to it's release. as well as getting to soak up the feedback from fans and bands alike.

The record starts in very unconventional fashion with droning, drawn-out strings on opener ‘Yearn’, which soon after becomes overwhelmed by utterly heavy guitars, cavernous vocals and bass/drum work that reaches the outermost depths of what makes UK heavy music so great. The immediate blasting that kicks off ‘Only Time Will Tell’ sets the scene for an absolutely beastly take on black metal (with a metallic, avant-garde tinge). Still have been described as a blackened hardcore band in the past and there are definitely elements of that in their sound but here they do seem to transcend that label.

The production is incredible throughout the record as is it’s flow. ‘Light’ is a song title that resonates in an opposite way due to the darkness that it delivers (if that even makes sense!). It’s powerful yet sensitive enough to be cinematic at times as well. The transition to ‘Dark’ happens seamlessly, so much so in fact that I didn’t even notice! As I said earlier, Still absolutely nail the flowing nature of this record and keep the momentum high. Reading the chat as I’m writing is hard but I’m just about managing it and I’ve seen the likes of Plebeian Grandstand, Noise Trail Immersion and Fall Of Efrafa mentioned as comparisons. Who could argue with that!

‘Oscillate’ is a quick-fire song that signals the album’s latter half. It doesn’t deliver the ambient instrumental that some of you might be expecting though, as Still elects to continue with the intensity, leading into ‘Life Eclipses Living’. It mirrors real life in both name and atmosphere. It’s sonic elements are right up there too. So good! The angular beauty that’s captured in the metallic riffs of penultimate song ‘Small Mercies Of Falling Apart’ is a joy to behold (if you like your music off-kilter and angry). It highlights just how much Still care about their craft. The UK needs music like this and bands like Still, especially when you hear that ending!

Album closer ‘Unresolved’ is it’s longest and oddly it’s most melodic, if the guitar work is anything to go by. It’s also stark though and oddly simplistic at first. It goes from melodic and airy to sludge-like in a matter of moments. Tempo changes, engrossing vox, ground-shaking bass and insanely good percussion complete what is a truly breathtaking song. Jaw dropping from beginning to end. I don’t know how music this good is still so under-appreciated. I know I’m biased because I write about it over and above any other genre of music but it just hits differently.

You can stream and purchase A Theft on all formats from Still below:-

Still - https://www.facebook.com/wearestillaband

Floodlit Recordings - https://www.facebook.com/floodlitrecordings