Death Notes - The Black EP

by Dave Goodwin

published: 13 / 10 / 2018

Label: Sonic Disruptor
Format: Download

Fantastic download only EP from Nottingham-bases alternative rock band, the Death Notes.

Review

Welcome to 'The Black EP', the new download EP from Nottingham-based five-piece alternative rock band, the Death Notes. They have dished out over ten offerings in some shape or form since their first release, a self-titled five-track EP on their own Sonic Disruptor Records in October 2009. Their sound has been compared with Joy Division, the Pixies and Sonic Youth."Oh yeah, another Joy Division...,"i hear you chomp, but, wait a little, this is actually quite remarkable. Go back to the end of Joy Division and the start of New Order. The Death Botes' music has elements of around that sort of time but they have their own distinct sound milling around in there too. The band are Mark (vocals), Martin (guitars), Kitt (drums), Jamie (keyboards) and Mike (bass) and this EP of five tracks kicks off with 'Gift of Fear' which is seven minutes of indie bliss similar as stated to latter Joy Division. 'Evolver', the second song, is a faster track with an early U2 sound whilst 'Closer to Truth'. the middle track, is much slower and is another Joy Division-influenced affair topped with lashings of Interpol. 'Syncretise', the penultimate song, puts a stronger focus on synthesisers than the other songs. 'Theme', the final track, starts with a foreboding beat and jangled guitars, and continues as instrumental all the way to the end. This follows the band's earlier 'The White EP' in 2016 and is a slight darker and sparser in places than its predecessor. Recorded at Psyrex Nottingham, this was curiously mixed in Romania by Adam Whittaker of the Damned and Julian Cope fame. A great EP from Nottingham's almost best kept musical secret.