This may be only just a tad over twenty-eight minutes long, but is a blast and a delight from start to finish. The band have certainly grown a lot since I first came across them, and to perform instrumental complex music to a group of people who haven’t come across them before takes balls. Taken from the band’s incendiary set at last year’s Ramblin’ Man Festival, ‘Field Recordings’ captures the band in their element – performing live on stage in front of a crowd who very quickly warm to them. The album features two previously unreleased songs which may (or may not!) feature on The Fierce And The Dead’s third solo album, currently in production.
Sometimes the bands are cranking it hard, almost out of tune, and others it is incredible dual harmony guitars with Matt Stevens and Steve Cleaton knowing exactly where the other is going to be. Add to that the dynamite rhythm section of Ken Feazey (who has one of the dirtiest bass sounds you’re ever likely to hear) and Stuart Marshall (who knows his way around all aspects of his kit), and here we have a band that are revelling in the experience. They close with “666…6”, and the intricate, almost delicate, introduction provides no hint of the change in style that is to come as firstly the guitars blast, before the bass takes the lead and brings the band back into the melody. There is a back and forth style through this, but it is the guitar distortion that really makes it special, turning it into an epic monster, which really lifts the crowd as they segue into “Brainstorm” in honour of Hawkwind who are headlining the festival.
My only complaint is that this is just too damn short! But it has certainly whetted my appetite for the next full release, and if you have never come across these guys before then here is a great place to start.
