Release
date: April
27th
2018.
Label: Holy
Roar Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Melted
On The Inch
–
Tracklisting
1.
Chronosiam
2.
Tarku Shavel
3.
Peykruve
4.
Jromalih
5.
Lokannok
6.
Griffonbrass
Members
Alex
Hurst - vocals, guitar
Paul
Swarbrick - guitars
Ste
Arands - drums, perc
Matthew
Milne - keyboards
Charlie
Seisay - bass guitar
Review
I
don't know if things happen for a reason or if they simply happen. I
can speculate and ponder over this for hours and days without getting
anywhere near a reasonable conclusion. What I can say though is….Boss
Keloid, what the fuck?!?!?!?! Where have you been all my life?
‘Melted
On The Inch’
is their third full-length but somehow I’ve managed to miss these
guys, however you won’t get a better introduction to this band by
listening to this masterpiece. So who am I to complain?
Fell
head over heels for this record immediately without being able to
pin-point how or why. But that doesn’t matter because the sheer
brilliance these 5 gents exudes is more than enough. After a while
though, a pattern started to emerge, a strange pattern no less albeit
of a fantastic kind. Boss Keloid brings in a lot of influences from
all over the board and usually – 99.99 times out of 100 – this is
a recipe for disaster where the music shoots off in all directions,
lacking any kind of cohesion. However, these Wiganers tie all pieces
together creating a previously unheard-of musical palette, which
shatters my perception of music completely and I absolutely love it!
The
greatness of Melted
On The Inch’
appears immediately in opener ’Chronosiam’.
In a way it is representative of the whole album. Shamanistic,
punishing, transcending, hell life-altering as well. You name it and
it’s there. Blending led-heavy passages with medieval touches
whilst catapulted into a trippy, stoned-out other-world. As soon as
the punishing starts choir-like singing emanates before Asiatic tones
rings out. Confusing? Not the slightest! Everything is perfectly
integrated, every little piece has its place and function giving a
brilliant outcome. I feel as if I have flown into a supernova as it
explodes. Completely disintegrated, I am now reborn and a much better
person at that. And we’re only at the first song…
Contemplative,
soul searching and beautiful, yet burrowing and pounding ‘Tarku
Shavel’
is the perfect continuation in my rebirth. The song guides me as I
find better options, better ways of being. It’s still a struggle
but Boss Keloid are the Grand Masters in catharsis, as well as in
enlightenment of a different, more open and wider perspective.
Suggestive and mind-altering this song elevates me to a whole new
level. ‘Peykruve’
starts off mellow with hints of reggae and those amazing Asian
influences perhaps. Regardless, it’s kind of trippy and soothing
for the most parts although heavier segments show the struggles
accepting your new self. At the same time the new-found knowledge and
state of being pushes to the front to allow the reborn me to break
free fully.
‘Jromalih’
starts off with trance-inducing rhythms and sounds and a very trippy
guitar which keep on throughout, only to elevate the transcendent
lucidity the band oozes. Once heavier parts emerges it only enhances
the contentment I feel of this new beginning Boss Keloid offers,
despite the lure of old me constantly rearing its ugly head. However,
the calmness on hand keeps me level-headed and assured. Coming to
conclusions and making decisions, whether they are good or not,
Lokannok’
is
what tips the scale and you have to stick your guns, no matter what.
Maybe the path to my personal enlightenment isn’t so clear after
all. A gradual build up musically, this eventual battering ram
unleashes power and fury I didn’t know existed.
Ending
this magnum opus is ‘Griffonbrass’.
Slower but lurking and pounding, it is one of those compositions
which pulls you in like quicksand and before you know it, life as you
know it is no more. In this soul-searching journey Boss Keloid takes
us on ‘Griffonbrass’
offers resolve and contentment. Whatever choices you made you live
with them. That’s how you grow! Take everything you’ve done,
extract anything life-changing and adhere to that and you have
changed for the better. It might be hard but you will change.
Boss
Keloid are my new, missing muse! Sure, fan boy you say, but honestly.
‘Melted
On The Inch’
is what has been absent from my life. For someone who has used music
as a guiding light in life, a band these days has to have something
extra because so much has been done musically. And these Wiganers
step beyond all this and then some. Obviously they have no fear doing
whatever they like and that alone is always a positive sign. Then, by
adding excellent musicianship as well as songwriting skills of extra
terrestrial proportions and voila, you have Boss Keloid. Yes I know I
blabber like a fool but hell, this band is something else, something
light years ahead of the rest!
Words
by Håkan
Nyman
Thanks
to Lisa at Hold Tight PR for the promo. Melted On The Inch will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Holy Roar Records from April 27th
2018.
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