Seattle funk punk band Blood Brothers unleash a torrent of noise, screaming, shouting and general mayhem in this their fifth album ‘Young Machetes’
Opening with single ‘Set Fire to The Face on Fire’ the rapid and chaotic thrashing of guitars and keyboards are instantly thrown at listeners, setting the pace for pretty much every track. The speed is certainly a key factor; the effervescence shows no hint at waning, even in the periodic melodic parts.
Tracks like Camouflage, Camouflage, 1,2,3,4, Guitar and Huge Gold AK-47 seem to cram as much into one song as possible, careering from one extreme of screamo punk to traditional guitar heavy rock to a unexpected placidity. While in the past I would have said this cluttered sound was not my thing, Blood Brothers have perfected a sort of skill, I think in part achieved by the constant vociferous vocals of Johnny Whitney. Stand out tracks are definitely Laser Life – its screeching vocals blend with electronic madness and crazy guitars to create an angular, abstract harmony. And ‘You’re the Dream Unicorn’, not just because I love the name but because this really is the epitome of fast paced scary mosh pit punk!
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Final track ‘Giant Swan’ seems to come out of nowhere, it is the calm after the storm, demonstrating Whitney is capable of actually singing rather than screaming, Like a night out is the perfect relaxing (well…apart from the briefly frantic middle section) end to what would have been a truly frenzied time.
I wasn’t sure about this album upon the first listen but if you feel like this too, trust me you should persevere. It seems that this may be the album that will bring Blood Brothers and their chaotic music to a wider audience.
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