By Jim Rowland
New London-based four-piece Red Light Acid Test spent much of 2019 gigging around the capital’s back room bars sharpening their sound. In December, with sound suitably sharpened, they went into Courtyard Studios with the producer Ian Davenport (Band of Skulls, Slowdive) to record three adrenaline fuelled songs to be released as this, their self-titled debut EP.
Red Light Acid Test’s mission is to merge the psych rock of 60s garage, grunge’s spit & fury and the tight angular riffing of post punk to create a noisy blast of brooding intensity and whilst I don’t see too much of the 60’s psych in their sound, the other two are most definitely present and correct. In fact, the groove and swagger of the opening cut ‘Lose Myself’ adds a touch of the desert rock sound of the likes of Fu Manchu or Nebula to that list too. It makes sense to start an EP with the strongest and most accessible track and ‘Lose Myself’ does the job in fine style and should bring the band some deserved attention.
‘Elephants’ combines the grunge and post-punk influences perfectly, immediately kicking in with a powerful jagged rhythm very much in Killing Joke territory, with chorus and soaring guitar work bringing Smashing Pumpkins’ more intelligent end of grunge to mind. Most certainly a noisy blast of brooding intensity, ‘Elephants’ may not be as accessible or ‘commercial’ as the lead track, but is a slice of twisted, intelligent rock that kicks ass. ‘Relapse’ follows in similar fashion, the longest track of the three, combining intricate rhythms with some quality riffing and mood swings, and perhaps sits somewhere in between the vibes of the two previous tracks.
This really is a cracking debut EP from a brand-new band with an intelligent and exciting sound, and certainly deserves some attention. The songs are well crafted, the production impressive and musicianship top notch. The guitar work is impressive, providing not just the inevitable big riffs and hooks but also subtle, inventive and unusual nuances that add an element of uniqueness to the band’s sound. Also impressive is vocalist Laurence McCron’s voice which has an accessible and dare I say commercial feel to it that perhaps differentiates this band from others taking the noisy, brooding and intense approach to their music. If you like your rock alternative, ‘Red Light Acid Test’ is well worth checking out.
- ‘Red Light Acid Test’ is released this Friday (29 May). You can get your copy HERE.
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