Irish post-punk trio, Slow Riot return with the ‘Cathedral’ EP via Straight Lines Are Fine. Lead track from the clear vinyl 10″ ‘Demons’ impresses with dark, swooning guitars and a driving beat. Taking the Slow Riot penchant for classic songwriting and blending it with new wave hooks and a layered, climatic build reminiscent of shoegaze luminaries Ride or My Bloody Valentine. These diverse, refreshing sounds span across the ‘Cathedral’ EP, channelling more of those beautifully dynamic, spacious soundscapes, heavy walls of feedback with pop sensibilities, with an aim to challenge any preconceptions, as is the bands mantra. ‘Cathedral’ was recorded at the Manic Street Preachers’ Faster studio in Cardiff under the watchful eye of producer Kevin Vanbergen, whose back catalogue includes the likes of The Pixies, The Maccabees, Dinosaur Pile-Up, The La’s and Biffy Clyro. Faster’s in-house engineer Loz Williams and the Manics’ James Dean Bradfield further extended a helping hand to the band, offering the use of their equipment and instruments, many of which were used in the making of past chart-topping records.
The four tracks here offer little respite as they attack your senses relentlessly and ruthlessly, with no small degree of repetition, and the result is a collection of quite cutting power. Young Limerick trio Slow Riot appear to have been compared with every band in the world, yet their musical influences appear to be from the iciest regions of post-punk, territory once inhabited by Joy Division and In Camera, and they conjure up memories of Editors in their early days (when they were great), especialy in the phrasing of the vocals and singing of the guitars. Yet Slow Riot manage to remain even more detached and cut even harder with their music. This is impressive stuff indeed, imbued with all the power, purpose, passion and command of expression that light up great releases. A splendid debut EP which you would be foolish to ignore.
The Fat Angel Sings 