Release Date: December 04th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Episode 1 - Tracklisting
1.Continue The Sad 03:57
2.Steve French 04:26
3.Finding A Cure 04:44
Members
Kurt Williams - guitar/ vocals
Nat Reid - bass/ vocals
Tom LaHatte - drums
Review
Episode 1 is the debut EP from Libbianski who fuse Doom, Shoegaze, Post-Metal and Alt Metal that has a solid Doom-Pop foundation with the band playing similar sounds to bands such as TORCHE, HUM and Slow Crush. The record has quite an aggressive and vivid energy which I didn’t fully expect which comes out in full force within the excellent opening track of Continue The Sad. The harsh vocals from Kurt Williams (Guitar) are quite different from Nat Reid’s (Bass) sublime Alt Metal and Punk Rock delivery.
The music moves from catchy Doom-Pop hooks to a gloriously delicious Post-Metal energy with a sludgy attitude forming throughout. Add a subtle Grunge and Noise Rock attitude which allows Libbianski to dominate the Doomgaze landscape. The lyrics are quite insightful but with a rebellious presence to them. That style of music continues within the outstanding second track Steve French which captures a slightly downbeat Nineties sounding melody with outbursts of Sludge Punk surroundings with the band following closely to their gloomy Pop hooks.
Libbianski are from Wellington, New Zealand which once again shows a different style of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal band to emerge from there with the likes of BEASTWARS, ULCERATE, Planet Of The Dead and Sidewinder impressing me over the years. Libbianski play their own great style of distorted sounds which takes a more warm hearted and disjointed approach within the final track Finding A Cure with Kurt’s and Nat’s vocals once again offering different styles and musical perspective. Tom LaHatte puts in a wonderfully understated performance on drums which makes everything tick throughout the whole EP.
Episode 1 is a superbly heavy, quirky and extremely delightful record with Libbianski offering a different style of Shoegaze that’s brimming with wonderful creativity.
Words by Steve Howe
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