Very classic post-punk band. My favorite track was “Anhedonia,” with the nice clear bass line to start and catchy instrumentals in the chorus, along with fun dual-vocal shouting at the end (I almost wish there was more of it!). All their tracks seem so thought-out and well-rounded. With a more techno edge at times, like the electronic intro in “Götterdämmerung Capitalism,” to more kinds of gothic rock elements throughout, you don’t quite know what to expect.
Debut release from Naarm/Melbourne, Australia’s BEAT PANIC continues the dialogue about colonization and Aboriginal displacement in Australia, thusly giving name to the Kulin Nation of Naarm. This shows up more in the Bandcamp notes than what I can find in their lyrics, but something to recognize all the same. To the music: I didn’t know what I was going to find after the synth-only opener “Sprawl,” which is haunting and tender all at once. What follows is wonderfully rich, goth-tinged post-punk reminiscent of DAVE VANIAN AND THE PHANTOM CHORDS, especially the commanding yet reverb-hollow vocals. Definitely worth a listen—but hey, I was sold at Aussie post-punk.
