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The Incisions – Let Terror Rain

2003, Self-Released

Wow, this is loud, caustic stuff.

The 2nd album from the ever-changing Christchurch 3-piece The Incisions blow the current crop of rock’n’roll revivalists out of the water. Its pure fire in a recording, scratchy, loud, abrasive and rude – more in the style of Japanese noise merchants Guitar Wolf or (particularly) Teengenrate than The Datsuns (who seem positively polished in comparison).

An excellent set of explosive songs fueled by the standard rock’n’roll metaphors (girl’s play a big part lyrically – with vocal duties split between Nick Heart and former Hi-Tone Destroyer, bassist Ben Johnstone), but maybe with something else a little special underneath the wall of feedback and grit.

From the very first blast of opener ‘Axis of evil’ – which actually mimics the driving and distorted bass rhythm of the Velvet Underground’s debauched ‘The gift’, the album feels like a homage to its musical heritage. And things don’t just stop there.

The album concludes with a number of acoustic based tracks, showcasing Heart’s vocal and guitar talents along with some excellent sugary sweet accompanying vocals from Mel Smith (reminiscent of The Brunettes merely for their shared Beach Boys influence).

It may not be hi-fidelity (tape noise and hiss drench the album), but it’s certainly a very distinctive and effective album – highly recommended.

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