AWmusic

Earlier this year, post-hardcore experimental rockers These Arms Are Snakes released their newest installment to their discography, Tail, Swallower, and Dove . While in the past, most of the excitement has centered around building to a climax of chaos, the new album focuses a little more on trying out new sounds, ambitious rhythms, and mesmerizing textures.

In other words, rather than taking a path that led to explosive climaxes armed with brainbending guitar and bass riffs, the new album is a little more akin to something from The Jesus Lizard. In a way this is a good thing, since it makes the listener feel more like they’re experiencing an album, rather than listening to a high fidelity recording of a live performance. If there is one thing Tail, Swallower, and Dove is in no shortage of, it’s groove. From the first track of the record (which might just be the best Jesus Lizard song never written), the songs instantly immerse the listener in a driving (often non-changing) beat. In many ways, the album is a sequel to the epic Easter, the lyrics are still cryptic, the bass and guitar seem to be in constant role reversal with each other, the intensity is there, and every song unquestionably is backed by the band’s signature ambient vibe. The mood on this album however is darker than usual, more sinister, and at times it doesn’t even sound like the band is playing in a small room, as opposed to an auditorium…or castle.

The band makes heavy use of the pump organ and microKORG throughout the album, and throws creative noises and effects in every inch of every song. While most bands will use effects as a brief moment of excitement or interesting way to introduce a part of a song, These Arms Are Snakes will actually make a riff out of it and build the entire song around it. Perhaps there is no better example than the super compressed synth bass that opens Lucifer, mixed higher than any part of the song, carrying throughout. Just another example of a bass riff by Brian Cook that would even make Chris Wolstenholme (Muse) jealous.

Though the album feels somewhat transitional, it is a more mature effort from a band making great strides in the world of post-hardcore and rock music in general. It will be exciting to see where it takes the band in the future.

3.5/5

Red Line Season by These Arms Are Snakes

Woolen Hearts by These Arms Are Snakes

Tags: album, botch, experimental, Muse, post-hardcore, pump organ, These Arms Are Snakes