| CD REVIEW Castrovalva |
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Band : Castrovalva Weird bandname, innit? According to Wikipedia, the name would originally come from an early lithography by Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, but as this is a British band, it’s more likely that one of the forming members has a penchant for the UK series Dr. Who. You see, the Castrovalva serial was aired on BBC in 4 twice-weekly parts from in January 1982, and the first full serial to feature Peter Davison in the role as The Doctor. Castrovalva was the place The Doctor asked to be brought to after the ill effects of his regeneration, but after a while the “good guys” discover that they are in fact captives of the deceptive The Master (whom had escaped after the events of the preceeding events in the Logopolis serial). ‘Nuff of thàt (although I’m a big Dr. Who fan myself), let’s get down to business on the band by the name of Castrovalva. Ah well…sometimes intros provide an article with a sufficient amount of reading fodder surrounding the main theme of it, see, and that’s especially fortunate when one cannot find too much info on the topic at hand. Because none of my info sources could reveal to me when this band was formed, but reading between the lines I was able to assertain that they’re from Leeds, and formed by bassist Tony and drummer Nova. As a twosome, they recorded & released their self-titled, 8-track instrumental mini-album (which features the collaboration of singer Leemun Smith on the one track “Belthausen”) earlier last year. The release helped the duo to secure a healthy amount of gigs, and eventually they even ended up supporting Israeli Noise mongers Monotonix, as well as Health and An Albatross. Somewhere along the line the original duo must’ve liked what Smith did in the song on their mini-album, because he was swiftly enlisted to make Castrovalva a vocal trio! Whén that happened, none of the available info will reveal, but the man is certainly present on the new mini-album (okay, so there’s 12 tracks here, but the total duration ain’t even 27 minutes, and thàt makes the labeling as “mini-CD” quite justified – besides the band itself uses the term when talking about their new release). But I’m goin’ too fast, as the band first released the 2-track CD-single Thug Poetry, the songs of which (“Thuglife” and “Outlawz”) are also featured on the mini-album. From their previous mini-album, they re-recorded “We Don’t Go To Ravenholm”, “Bison Scissor Kick”, and “Triceratops” to fit them to added vocals. Now the band’s music is fantastic enough in the first place, bordering to madness (but isn’t is said that all genius has a bit of madness to it as well?)! Powerhouse bass is backed by frantic drumming, and in plenty of the songs you’ll get wacky samples thrown in! I’m under the impression that possibly Tony put down his bass to play the sax in the crazy “Hooliganz R Us”, but then he could hardly play twó saxes at the same time, could he now?! But the picture isn’t complete before you add Leemun’s psychotic use of his vocal chords! To cornerphrase a passage in a review I saw (and re-write it for better effect), imagine the likes of Henry Rollins and Axl Rose being chewed up, mashed together, spewed out, and liberally flooded with a rich dosis of adrenaline…and you still won’t get where Smith goes! I mean, occasionally his rantings (female impersonations, growling, screaming, Rapping, clean singing…you name it, he gets it done! But the thought of him having a psychotic streak somewhere will definitely cross your mind) infect the other two guys as well, making for a well-coordinated but seemingly chaotic vocal soundscape which is simply de-lec-ta-ble!!! And mind-altering, too… Veritably, it boggles the mind as to how to describe Castrovalva’s music…and do it the justice it deserves! Personally, I’m blown away, and I cannot imagine what an incredible experience it must be to witness this trio in live conditions! I mean, it must be like Easter, the Summer holidays, Halloween, Christmas, and New Years’ Eve all together…and then some! An experience never to forget, probably! But until the band gets it shit together to tour the European continent, we’ll have to make due with their recordings. And since I’m sure your imagination ain’t given you a sufficient picture of what this band is about, I guess you’d better check out some of their music. I mean, I’ve been able to grasp your attention so far? Then definitely visit myspace.com/castrovalvamusic!!! One warning: Castrovalva music will grab you by the balls, smack you face-first into a wall, crush you on the floor (all while still twisting your testicles in a vice-like grip), and then start boot dancing on your genitals (ladies reading this might imagine their ti… sorry, let’s keep this tasteful…mammalar glands…ooh, what a posh word… being treated in the same way). You won’t like it at first, but you’ll be coming back for more, with anticipation for the pleasures that you know are awaiting you! The band hasn’t stood still. Apparently they’ve already recorded the additional song “Donut” (and made a video for it) not available on the album, but as a free download (to get to both the video and download, see homepage @ (www.) brewrecords.net – the audio version is also posted at the band’s MySpace). And in addition, the guys plan to release 2 more albums this very year! Well, slap me happy ‘n’ crush me bones…but please, pléase can I get to review those as well (wink wink towards the nice people at Brew Records who sent us the promo copy of thís album). Make this a high one in your 2010 year-lists…you know I will!!! 98/100 Tony. |