Naturals - Hive
by Keith How
published: 5 / 2 / 2016
Label:
Howling Owl Records
Format: CD
intro
Fabulous, contemporary-sounding prog/industrial rock on long-awaited debut album from Bristol-based band, the Naturals
The Naturals emerge from Bristol’s underbelly via the wonderful Howling Owl label with eight finely honed offerings to gladden the heart. In many ways there is much that is familiar in the Naturals' sound. There are nods in many directions, which extend from Joy Division’s skeletal, dark and brooding sound to the sonic atmospheres of Mogwai. The Naturals, however, while paying attention to the past, have moved on. This band have spent more than a few years developing a style and sound of their own and now unleash the fruits of their labours into the world. 'Cold People' is a prime example of the band's superb textures of pounding bass and industrial noise, but is underpinned by a minimal yet effective drumming. The treated vocals almost hide away in the mix and have a mantra-like feel. One of the joys of 'Hive' is its diversity of sound. 'Cauldron' is a behemoth that broods away. It is dark and menacing with a pulsating beat that increases in tempo as the track progresses. I hear shades of Rick Wakeman’s classic cascading keyboards from 'Fragile'-era Yes as the track fades out. Make no mistake. We are in prog-rock territory but in a most contemporary fashion. Having been around for a decade it comes as no surprise that this band know their stuff. Opener '2HGS' has beautifully layered vocals before a skull crushing beat hits you like a hammer. 'Infinite Eyeball' follows on, a relentless animal with a throbbing bass and treated vocals. Some mad scientist is messing with the electronics. Did they not notice? Despite the desire to pigeonhole the Naturals, their ability to lead the listener off the beaten track without a map leaves you in undiscovered country. No more so than the closing track, 'Sum'. A spooky wail leads into a remorseless throbbing bass and more electronics from outer space, which bleep and pop in and out of a dark atmosphere that is full of light and shade. House music for a new era? 'Hive' is a majestic collaboration of sounds from a future world where industrial sounds and dub have made love and the outcome is this intense but ultimately prophetic body of work. Hats off to the folks at Howling Owl for unleashing the Naturals into 2016.
Track Listing:-
1 2HGS2 Infinite Eyeball
3 Axe
4 Module
5 Cold People
6 Cauldron
7 It's Teeth
8 Sum
Band Links:-
http://www.thenaturalsmusic.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/The.NaturalsHQ/
https://twitter.com/naturalsmusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/thenaturalstube
http://thenaturals.bigcartel.com/
http://www.songkick.com/artists/162488-naturals
Label Links:-
http://www.howlingowlrecords.com/https://www.facebook.com/HowlingOwlRecords/
https://twitter.com/howlingowlnoise
https://www.youtube.com/user/HowlingOwlRecords
https://plus.google.com/114265896723379352028
http://howlingowlrecords.tumblr.com/
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadKula Shaker - Natural Magick
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart