I often talk about bands who make music that walks a fine line, usually because they navigate between one genre and another or deftly dance in places where opposing sounds and styles happen to meet briefly. Ecce Shnak certainly breaks out such creative footwork, but as a broader observation, it is fair to say that they walk that liminal boundary where genius and madness merge. And I mean that in the most positive of ways.
And why not? In a world where most music is made by following tried and tested sonic templates, why not head off into parts unknown? And few bands are as adventurous, in terms of both lyrical themes and musical subversiveness, as Ecce Shnak.
A couple of the tracks on their latest EP, Shadows Grow Fangs, have already crossed my path, and, as beguiling an experience as they were, having six consecutive tracks all in one hit is a tangible reminder of just what an extraordinary band this is.
Frontman David Roush is a composer, bassist, and one of two singers, the other being Bella Komodromos, whilst Chris Krasnow and Gannon Ferrell are responsible for the intricate and eclectic guitar-scapes, and Henry Buchanan-Vaughn’s drums attempt to hold everything together.
“The Internet” is a strange blend of almost Gregorian chant meets avant-gardening, opera meets alt…well, alt-everything, the modern world’s most controversial creation as seen through the eyes of a time-traveling poet. The title track is a skittering pop song, or at least as close as a band like Ecce Shnak would care to get to such defined sonic realms, and “Jeremy, Utilitarian Sadboy” is a metal-infused bundle of confusion and creativity, math-metal and choral grace, based on the life of 19th Century English philosopher Jeremy Bentham
To say that any one Ecce Shnak encounter is something breathtaking and hard to describe, is certainly an understatement. A whole EP of their music is an experience that leaves you speechless. And I can’t remember the last time I was unable to come up with a snazzy sound bite to round a review off. And that, dear reader, tells you everything that you need to know.
Shadows Grow Fangs EP
Bandcamp
Spotify
Stroll With Me video
Shadows Grow Fangs video
The Internet video
