By Lesley Macdonald

Born in Marseilles, France, in 2015, Spirit Bomb is the brainchild of illustrator Pierre ‘Gotto’ Lorem and guitarist Arnaud Duquesne who wanted to make music and art combine in their own creation. Pierre created five characters, bombs no less, whose journey to save the world from crashing into a brick wall may or may not be in vain. There’s even a comic with the album that tells the tale as the tracks lead through the story. Unsurprisingly then, ‘Tight’ will be a treat for the Comic-Con nerds, a fantasy-laced journey to get lost in.

A ‘Spirit Bomb’ is an attack method devised by martial arts guru King Kai of the ‘Dragonball’ series. In essence, the attack allows you to borrow the energy of other organisms, objects or even from the atmosphere before distilling and releasing it as a devastating force. It sits well then, that Spirit Bomb, the band, is all about the intertwined nature of humans and the collective power that they can generate. Perhaps if we worked together instead of against each other we would become an unstoppable positive force.

The first thing I notice about ‘Take It’ is the attitude in the vocal. This blistering opener melds into punk rock, feedback fuelled riffs and rap lyrics. It’s a rebellious creation with a genre that’s impossible to pin down, but I like it… and the wonderfully monikered vocalist Valerian Caetano is mostly to blame. I think it’s about the rapid use of resources as we sit in our comfortable bubbles.

The chorus is the best bit of ‘Come Out’ which, as it suggests, beckons you outside into the streets. Spirit Bomb has a bit of funky fun and properly rocks out in this rousing track… but then… ‘Come In’ they say.  Eh? Melodic floating guitar clashes with rap vocals that attempt to grasp what Stone Temple Pilots do so well, except this is in a reggae style. Confused yet? The drum rhythm courtesy of Zé Réminouch descends into drum-and-bass driven beats before a creative pace change stays your interest. As if you weren’t on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what Spirit Bomb comes up with next. It only gets more out there towards the end. For the most part I can’t make out what the hell they’re on about, but it matters not.

Now ‘Each’ one of you needs to find your backbone. That seems to be the message here in a track that bounces with energy and challenge. Get off your ass and do something before it’s too late. Stop being the wall! By this point it’s clear that this band wears many masks. Their creativity and imagination knows no bounds and that’s evidenced by yet another change in direction with ‘Bad Words’ the closest thing to a ballad I’ve heard so far. Dammit, I was waiting for some more epic guitar riffs from Arnaud and Florentin, instead I’m left impressed by the extreme range of Valerian (why does the name always bring to mind ‘Game of Thrones’ when it’s actually a GABA-inducing psychoactive herb?): the vocal range of the singer was what I was referring to… It was!

The beginning of ‘Take My Land’ sounds like folk music and it’s not a favourite but surely it fits the concept by criticising corporate greed. You might want to skip once the message is heard. Important message. Hear it, skip it. Meanwhile the jarring guitar at the start of ‘Brand New Scars’ brings Psycho to mind. Mustn’t get comfortable though, the track switches to 70’s-esque groovy rock and on to new metal. ‘Break A Brick’ sounds like a bit of a stolen idea, a good one though and ‘Bababudda’ sounds like its name: ba, ba budda, ba ba, ba budda go the guitars. Put this one on repeat.

In broken English ‘When Police Riots’ still gets an angry and effective message across via shredded guitars whilst ‘One Spirit One Bomb’ is a heavy and violent rhythmic gem. We end on ‘Sandman’ which, I suspect, is an homage with its’ intricate guitar lead in. The high vocals are impressive, wistful and engaging.

At the end of it all I’m left with a smile. What a journey. But why am I surprised? As if a band founded by a musician and illustrator isn’t going to be bursting with creativity. If creativity is what Spirit Bomb wanted to demonstrate, they’ve done so on another level. You will not get bored. This album is eclectic and brilliant and, as the young ones might say, ‘Tight’. Sorry, sorry. Seriously, if you need something fresh and completely out of its’ box, try this.

  • ‘Tight is released on Friday (24 September). You can get your copy HERE.

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