The members of the belligerently named TWO TONNE MACHETE take their name from the words of the vociferous Joe Talbot. The IDLES vocalist once told an interviewer that he wanted to use such an implement to ‘cut through apathy and dark times’.
Aptly, TWO TONNE MACHETE and IDLES share many qualities: ferocious volume and pugnacious lyrics, among others. The former’s latest single ‘BLOCKS’ proves this. ‘You’re a cancer tumour/I can see through you’ they chant, accompanied by the scuzziest of bass riffs.
The band’s debut single ‘TRAP’ saw release last year, heavily influenced by the contemporary UK punk scene’s anarchistic volatility.
But inspiration runs deeper. America’s riot grrrl savagery evidently influences both ‘TRAP’ and ‘BLOCKS’.
The latter should be celebrated for its uncompromising noise. While largely unmelodic, there is bite to the weighty drums and chewed-up guitars. Each instrument sounds like its been dragged through contaminated soil prior to recording.
The music is messily performed – intentionally. However, as instruments wade with deliberately joyous sloppiness, moments disintegrates. Furious lyrics become drowned by a brutish production that is on occasion overzealous.
That excess of ardour is a minor issue. Provided TWO TONNE MACHETE maintain their grit with further releases, the entertaining frustration and urgency of this band’s lyrics and music will continue to ignite.
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