Release date: March 27th 28th 2020. Label: Unherd Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Splitfire - Tracklisting
1.Kamal Hossen
2.Tirunelveli
3.Gone Too Late
4.Splitfire
5.Home
6.Badger
7.Sunny Side Up
8.Kraanti
9.Best Way Out Is Always Through
Members
Prakash Rawat (guitars, vocals)
Gaurav Tiwari (drums
Review
Splitfire is the 2nd full length album from Stoner Rockers – Diarchy – who are from Bangalore, India. I reviewed these guys debut album – Here Lost We Lie – back in 2017 which you can read my review here. Splitfire is a more well-rounded and better sounding affair with the band taking a more riff-centric approach on this album. If you’re a fan of Kyuss, Clutch and Fu Manchu then Splitfire is the album that will appeal to you in a huge way.
The vocals from Prakash are quite different here but still maintaining a commanding lead with the music from both Prakash on Guitars and Gaurav on Drums having quite an addictive and vibrant sound of their own. The music is aggressive, loud, addictive and super-catchy in places. Diarchy know what they want and they play through a range of great songs such as Kamel Hossen, Tirunelveli and Gone Too Late merging a different style of Stoner Rock that branches into elements of Desert Rock, Psych Rock and Hard Rock with the band showing a deft ear when adding a more “Eastern” flavour to their overall sound.
The standout song is most definitely the title track – Splitfire – with Diarchy bringing a much needed sense of urgency and aggression to the album with the band allowing their music to play at a natural pace with a sense of realism and importance to it all. The DNA template of KYUSS based Stoner Rock maybe self evident here but Diarchy add their own spin on the standard Desert/Stoner Rock template that you can’t but help admire.
Splitfire ultimately succeeds on the wealth of creative ideas and decisions that Diarchy bring to this album and it shows from every hard hitting groove, riff or drumbeat that’s included on this album. Diarchy have aimed high for this release as they brought in James Plotkin to master this album and it’s one of the main reasons why the album sounds super heavy from start to finish.
Overall, Diarchy have delivered a record that built on the early promise first heard on their debut album and takes it to a higher level. Splitfire is a supremely confident affair from a band who deserve wider recognition from the Desert/Stoner Rock community and this album could raise their profile to a whole another level. That’s how good Splitfire actually is.
Check out for yourself when you get the chance.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Splitfire will be available to buy on CD/DD via Unherd Music from March 27th 2020.
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