TERRA are a London-based quartet whose new single "Lost Generation" (due anytime) is liable to raise them from the gruelling slog of the toilet circuit by dint of the fact it's been chosen to soundtrack the launch of the game Halo 2: an accolade which apparently puts them up there with both Snoop Dog and Korn, but one which (taken alone) would be liable to prejudice this writer against them.
Still, everyone needs sponsorship these days, right?So how's about we take TERRA on their own merits and tackle this four-track demo which is knocking around as a sampler before the single proper appears? Sound fair to you?
OK, then. And to be fair, Terra have plenty of points in their favour. For starters they have the looks of Norwegian beauty Adele Jensen (vocals) on their side, and she proves herself adept and relatively charismatic in frontperson terms here. Secondly, the simple fact the band's harsh, metallic attack is light years away from the Libertines clones currently clogging up the arteries of the London scene sets them apart from the pack.
On paper that's important, but the end results are less assured and showcase both Terra's strengths and weaknesses along the way. Initially, the prognosis isn't too peachy: opener "Freedom" features doomy, Sabbath-style riffmongery and finds Adele coming over all stern and matriarchal in the early Siouxsie vein. The rabble-rousing chorus ("Time to rise! Take it back from the leaders") doesn't really cut the Colman's either. This kinda stuff sounds threatening when it's sung by genuine outsiders (the likes of Crass's Steve Ignorant and Asian Dub Foundation spring to mind), but doesn't sit so well when proffered by suburban kids led by a pouty blonde beauty. Sorry guys, it's just too quixotic for my liking.
"Freedom", though, is probably preferable to second tune "Insane." Once again, the band adhere resolutely to the sludgy Skunk Anansie/ Alice In Chains-style riff methodology and when Adele gets to dispatching the unlikely chorus ("Got no brain, we're going insane!") over this incessant, tank battalion rumble it's anything but attractive and way too derivative to stand a chance.
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So far, so uninspiring. But then, an unlikely sea change occurs with "Give A Piece". Yes, the Stuka-diving riffs are still present and correct, but this time there's far more light and shade, the band play with real presence and the way the chorus rises is a major improvement. Crikey, where did that suddenly come from?
Closing track "Precious" suggests it's not a fluke, either. Surely the best thing here, it flows freely with the band playing with composure and slowing it down a little. Guitarist Steve Kelly proves he has taste and skill, adding what sounds like a keening E-bow part as well as scudding, melodic runs, while Adele here smoulders beautifully. The throaty chorus once again grabs you by the lapels and this dreamy, more considered approach is something this quartet ought to contemplate more often.
Terra, then, are at least a band worthy of further investigation. Their new single is imminent and classic rock keeper of the flame Tommy Vance himself (now of Virgin Radio) is known to be an admirer, so they can clearly convince the old guard as well as the young pretenders. This demo suggests Terra have some way to go before they really hit paydirt, but there's certainly something going on here that should be nurtured.
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