Dunedin four-piece progressive, groove metal outfit Iron Tusk is following the Dunedin metal tradition of releasing an album just as they break up, according to vocalist Jacob Langley.
‘‘We're continuing that fine tradition,'' he laughs. ‘‘It's happened so many times.''
The band, which came together as an instrumental duo five years ago, are calling it quits next week, as their bassist moves to Australia (for science) and is having one last show to send him off in style next week at Re:Fuel.
Taking their name from a track by acclaimed Atlanta metal outfit Mastodon, Iron Tusk is all about groove and weird time signatures.
‘‘A lot of it is like ‘yeah, we've got a riff, but what can we do to it to make it weird and make it throw people','' Langley says, citing influence from the likes of The Deftones and Dillinger Escape Plan.
With Digits, the band's previous offering released last September, the band deploys that love of groove and repetition to eviscerating effect. There's a suffocating, pounding heaviness to the production, sheets of meaty juggernauting guitar providing a wrap of claustrophobia for Langley's alternative clean and growling vocals. Things get weird at times, some classical, post-rock noodling rearing its head, but the swaying, head-banging rhythm is never far away.
After the final show, Langley hopes to finish vocals on the group's full-length debut before undergoing throat surgery to remove some vocal nodules.
‘‘When I finally went to the specialist and told he him what I do all the time, he said ‘Um, you should probably stop that','' he said, with a laugh.‘‘We're just going to get it done, because we're not sure if I'll be able to do it afterwards.''
And just how bloody metal is that!
PURVEYORS OF FOLK TALES
This month punk-country singer/songwriter Will Wood and working-class poet and MC Tourettes are traversing the country together.
Both are purveyors of stories and folk tales, in a manner of speaking, and each artist's mix of biting social commentary, internal psychological assessment, and lamentations of the 21st century should sit nicely alongside each other.
Wood is fresh from releasing his new sophomore album Magpie Brain & Other Stories, while Tourettes is touring behind a new single called The New New Zealand.
The pair are in Queenstown on Saturday, and Oamaru the following night.
SECOND OF FIVE ARRIVES
Hooray! The second of my ‘‘Five records I'm really looking to in 2016'' has arrived.
Auckland's razor-sharp popsters Street Chant released its long-awaited sophomore effort Hauora last week, and, as expected, it's an urgent and sardonic collection of jangly and passionate guitar-driven indie rock.
It was always live highlight Melbourne I was most excited about hearing in a studio manifestation, and tucked eight tracks in, it's a gem.
Built on a decaying descending snare roll, and a circular guitar and bass pattern, songwriter Emily Edrosa provides a master class in restraint and dynamics.
The band is in Dunedin next week, appearing at Crown Hotel with Big Roses and Astro Children.
The gigs
Iron Tusk The Final Show, with Earthshield and Triumphs, Thursday, April 14, Re:Fuel, Dunedin. Free entry from 8pm.
Will Wood and Tourettes New Zealand Tour, Saturday, April 16, The Sherwood, Queenstown. $10 on the door, or tickets available from utr.co.nz, and Sunday, April 17, Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru.
Street Chant Hauora album release with Big Roses and Astro Children, Saturday, April 16, Crown Hotel. Presales available from undertheradar.co.nz, 8pm doors. Hauora is available on CD, LP, and digitally, from flyingout.co.nz now
Punk-country singer/songwriter Will Wood (far left) and working-class poet and MC Tourettes are touring the country with their biting mix of social commentary, internal psychological assessment, and lamentations of the 21st century.
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
