Release
date: April 29th 2016. Label: Undergroove Records . Format: LP, CD,
Cassette and DD
Ark
Of Octofelis – Tracklisting
Side
One - 1.Underestimating The Consequences Of Effective Propaganda
(Part I) 2.Feline Will
Side
Two - 1.The Ark 2. One From The Heart 3. Hymn 4. Duplicitous 5.
Launch 6. Underestimating The Consequences Of Effective Propaganda
(Part II)
Band
Members:
Chi
Lameo – Vocals, Guitar
Chris
West – Drums, Vocals
Steve
Jones – Bass
Gareth
Day – Guitar
Review:
Newport’s
Spider Kitten do a lot to evoke their name – mashing together two
or more often dissimilar genres or elements and splicing them
together to form a hybrid that has many familiar elements, but is
still something wholly individual. Ark Of Octofelis, their latest
release in what is amounting to a truly titanic back catalogue,
continues to showcase their skill in combining their wide ranging
influences, and their continuing pursuit of doing whatever the fuck
they want musically.
Side
One kicks off with forlorn, reverb heavy notes, which are joined by
smooth, low vocals. A sampled helicopter whirls by, delivering some
splashy cymbals and a robust, downcast bass groove. This ushers in a
lush, dreamy crawl through multi-layered, ethereal vocals and subdued
guitars, punctuated by jazzy drum fills and a rising organ solo. It’s
somewhat rambling, all about subtle progressions and natural, organic
change. Pleasingly retro, the rhythm section is the thread that pulls
you along, while the guitars, vocals and keys sprinkle on additional
gloss. Moving into ‘Feline Will’, backmasked guitars and
shimmering synths add to the ‘acid daydream’ vibes, before the
guitars mesh with the rest of the instruments for a triumphant drive
home. The repeated vocal refrain of “I submit unto the spider/its
feline will be done” acts as a canny, slightly tongue in cheek
reference to the band themselves, as well as the overall concept
storyline behind this release.
Side
Two jams in with the bright, almost flamenco picked guitar lines of
‘The Ark’. Altogether the second side is more varied, a buffet
compared to the set-meal of side one. While this lifts you up, the
underpinning bass notes that slide in add a sense of unease, the
guitar injecting slight atonality to reflect this. It’s breathless,
giddy stuff, synths building up to an intense, almost uncomfortable
wall of sound, before the fading out to a rampant, fuzzed out riff.
It’s a real blues-driven stomper, driving forwards with ballsiness
before the tension breaks into big groaning, doomy chords and whining
guitars.
Layered
group vocals add a sense of drama, the riffs and drums slowly
building pace, working towards something, chiming bells and a running
riff pushing us on, before winding down to a lumbering, sludgey
breakdown, ending with a squeal of feedback. The acoustic guitars
resurface, the band flexing their folk muscles, with layered, dusky
vocals and additional percussion echoing an earlier form of
songwriting, one as old as the land itself. A serious spoken word
segment is thrown amongst the jangling, ascending chords before
things end abruptly, replaced by the fade-in of an angry mob and a
huge, knurled bass riff and tribal tom hits. The palm muted, dense
chug is pierced by a whining, alarm-like synth, the riff lumbering
along, predatory. It builds to a climax of juddering synth and
grinding feedback. The same mournful notes that open side one return,
and you’re trapped in a never ending cycle. And that’s alright by
us.
Even
using twice as many words, you cannot begin to fully account for what
Spider Kitten can do in the 40 plus minutes on offer. A melting pot
of influences and themes, they bring a lot to the table without
sounding hackneyed, directionless, or like a pastiche. The
instrumentation is natural and excellent, never forced. A daunting
listen, and one that deserves time dedicated to it to truly
appreciate, but totally worth it. With repeated spins, you’ll find
hidden depths. Submit unto the spider.
Favourite
track: Feline Will.
Words
by Jamie Hampshire
Thanks
to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Ark Of Octofelis will
be available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette/Vinyl via Undergroove Records
from April 29th 2016.
Links:
