The Lidocaine is a Finnish band who came together in December 2007 with Anthony Rausku (vocals/guitar), Eroz (vocals/guitar), Jari Vanhanen (drums) and Jura Sarlin (bass). Apparently they released their debut in 2009, so I have no idea what they have been doing in the meantime as a band this good shouldn’t wait so long between albums. Inverse Records have managed to unearth some real gems within Finland and this is yet another that is at the top of the pile. The vocal style does take a little getting used to, but it adds to the overall sound, with a mix of guttural, clean, and slightly off-key vocals. The effect is that the vocals appear to be very wide, and it takes a very strong and complex attack to break through and it this combination that really works.
This is metal, with so many influences that I don’t know where to start so I don’t think that there is any point as this complex, intelligent metal is both unlike anything you have come across before yet is also very familiar indeed. Production is spot on, and the interplay between the guys is incredibly tight – so much so that I am just amazed that I haven’t come across them before as this album is incredibly strong and powerful. A strong bass and bottom end definitely assist in driving along music that is somehow incredibly commercial yet very metallic all at the same time. Definitely one for further investigation.
www.inverse.fi
