Tentáculo

Reviews

Tentáculo Va A Pasar Algo LP

From Seville, Spain, TENTÁCULO releases their second LP and their first release in five years. Fairly straightforward melodic punk sound, with a little post-punk guitar riffing, ever-present throughout the songs. A really great mix—I can hear everyone clearly and evenly. While not the most exciting praise, I find it worth noting, as it’s often not the case. Listening brings to mind the kind of passion and aggression similar to Portland, OR’s ABOLITIONIST, though these lyrics aren’t presented, so I can’t say what they’re actually conveying. Anyway, they play on a heavy sound mixed with the melodic, hardcore-style “aaaah” backing vocals, mimicking guitar riffs, in the choruses that often bring a melancholic energy. I really appreciate the craft on display here; everything is tight, precise, and very honed-in. They formed in 2012, so it’s no wonder they’re completely bonded by their sound.

Tentáculo Cansados de Esperar LP

Straight from Triana and Nice (Spain/France), TENTÁCULO is a punk band that treads a fine line between mid-tempo melodic punk and hard rock, or NWOBHM and post-punk, with the chops and attitude of those great working class heavy metal Spanish bands from the ’80s. Whatever, we don’t need to pinpoint TENTÁCULO down anywhere: these eight songs give no-frills rock’n’roll with existential dread-themed lyrics and hook after hook after hook. “Extrañas Luces” shines with an old-school hard rock riff in contrast with the bleak pessimism in the lyrics and the energetic singalong of the chorus. Have to highlight the guitar work on this record: simple at times, but extremely melodic in a HÜSKER DÜ kind of way. The three last songs on the B-side are some serious bangers: you can imagine yourself singing with your pals in a sweat-drenched embrace at a dark small club or spitting this street poetry into a hot and humid night after a really bad day at work. Beautiful cover and design work.