Band : Sensual Noise
Album title : Chasing Swans
Label : Own release
Distributor : /
Release date : 2010
Release : Digipak CD

This band from the Belgian Coast was formed as a 4-piece (comprising lead singer/ guitarist Ewoud Vandepitte, guitarist Jarne Uytersprot, bassist/ clean singer Maarten Baes, and Jarne's brother Yordi on the drums) in 2004, playing Hardcore.

But that's not the style they play today. As they felt themselves grow as musicians, the guys started down-pacing their music, going for a more experimental sound starting 2006. One year later the experiment was even increased upon when the foursome added David Kimpe to their line-up as second bassist. From then on, the band played some 50 shows, among which a gig on the beach, one at an abandoned stone factory, and another one at the Lappersfort forest occupation. Other memorable moments were a 3-day mini tour (Belgium/ Holland) with Corova, and support slots to such notable bands as Kylesa, Rosetta, Amen Ra, Bossk, Tephra, Overmars, Jakuzi's Attempt, Alpinist, Maudlin, and Do Androids Dream Of Electroc Sheep?. Another memorable moment in the band's career was November 2008, when the release of the first demo Psychedelic Bugtown occurred.

The five some has been working on the material for their “full-length” (with 5 songs spread over 30 ½ minutes) debut 18 months prior to recording it, and one sure can hear that this is no jam session. There's a lyrical concept in the album in that each song contains subjects such as the liberation aspect of movement, political activism, the need to put things in perspective, and reflection on itself...each track a different view on the same whole of subjects. Stylistically, the band goes from rather atmospheric heavy over almost acoustic (well, not quite, but perhaps you'll understand later), to extremely heavy again. For the most part the vocals are on the aggressive side, occasionally even almost intelligible and Screamo...but that doesn't matter, because the lyrics are printed inside the digipak package, and the band's music incorporates larger instrumental passages in each song anyway!

Looking for references? Try Isis, Pelican, early Mogwai, and more of that ilk. But really the band needs to be heard more than anything, and to facilitate that you can listen to samples of each of the album's songs at the band's own website (www.) sensualnoise.be. For full-length versions of “Red Pelican Black Cat”, “Battle Of The Ants” and the non-album “27”, surf to (www.) myspace.com/sensualnoisetheband. Check it out, and in case you're charmed by what you hear, know that you can buy the album from the band for only 9 euro (I'm not sure about possible mailing costs). People preferring a download version can get one for on 5!!! Come all and enjoy, eh? As far as I'm concerned, the album wormed itself into my year-lists during its first listening session...let's see how it does in your case, shall we?

98/100

Tony.