HARPOON
'Deception
Among Birds'
(Seventh
Rule Recordings)
Harpoon
is a three piece band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. I immediately
thought of the band Cavity when I hit play. Though Harpoon
are far more polished sounding, more controlled and their use of
feedback on the guitars is more subtle than those maniacs. The songs
are well crafted and there is actually a lot going on, despite not
sounding cluttered. The vocals of Toney Vast-Binder are harsh, pissed
off sounding yells with a lot of conviction and energy put into the
delivery. The pacing of the music is nice as well, it has some speed
at times, but also is painfully slow and grinding sludge drone at
other times, creating some nice dynamics and emotion. I was skeptical
when I read they used a drum machine, but I must admit this is one of
the finest examples of hiding that fact I have come across.
'Deception Among Birds' is the type of album that you will
keep finding new nuances you missed previously upon repeated
listening. The album is not bogged down in a million time changes or
far too busy for its own good. No, Harpoon have really
mastered a balance between intricacy and subtlety on here but never
forgetting the emotive quality of their music, which is what gives it
its real personality. Controlled chaos thinking metal is what I would
call it, this is my first experience with the band and I am pretty
impressed.
(Dale
Roy)
