Review Summary: A Split EP that's crazy and short-lived, but manages to be fun and varied - in under 23 minutes.
Sometimes when bands write split albums, they clash in a mixture of chaos, and the end result feels ugly. Like water and gasoline, something seems like it would work, but in the end, chemistry proves it wrong. This split from Coilguns And Kunz, however, doesn't suffer from this, and manages to create an interesting contrast between the bands. Both bands include the same members, and have a lot of similar elements, but ultimately feel completely different. This is what helps mesh them together, and makes the EP worth your time.
Coilguns is...
Louis Jucker - Heavy Breathing / 70's Precision
Luc Hess - Brainless spontaneous fastness and groove
Jona Nido - Filthy, basic and primitive riffing / C*nt in charge
Kunz is... a noise-rock duo based in switzerland, born form the unformal activities of The Ocean Collective's rythm section Louis Jucker (viola bass/barytone guitar/vocals) and Luc Hess (drums).
Even this short description of the members seems to support the idea that these two bands are indeed that; two separate bands. One band is focused on a fun, furious punk-fueled romp, while the other seems more professional and precise, and it shows in the music as well. Coilguns gives off a major Dillinger Escape Plan vibe, and though they sound original, they also sound like a band early in development. Their influences are easy to hear, even if their own sound is more present. Most obviously 'DEP' are the vocals in Coilguns, which sound like a harsh rasp Greg Puciato would put out, even with a hint of Dennis Lyxzén at times. However, Jucker never lets up with the shouts, and for the first three songs, he rages on and on, screaming at the top of his lungs. His vocals aren't original, but they get the job done. Backing him up are equally visceral instruments, with a heavy emphasis on drums. In The Ocean, Hess often plays his drums in a relaxed manner, only breaking out into a Godzilla rage on certain songs, but in Coilguns, his might is ever present. His drums are complete and utter chaos. Chaos, I tell you! But they're focused, and sound less like 'Brainless spontaneous fastness' and more like 'groove', no matter the speed. The guitar, however, just sounds crazy. If the drums are 'order', then the guitar is 'insane'. The riffs are played in a choppy manner, with the grating tone ever present, and can go from groovy to blazingly fast in an instant. It sounds a lot like a sped up Botch.
When the first three adrenaline-fueled songs end, we're greeted with a shrill guitar and slow, cymbal heavy drums. The album instantly switches from the mathematical metal to a more 'artsy' sound. Each instrument crawls along, and the vocals shift in pace as well. The shouts are less metalcore influenced, sounding hollow and wavering, echoing through the songs. Guitars and drums are more relaxed, with an obvious rhythm instead of 'do what sounds cool'. Guitar and bass is sludgy and deep, showing more post-metal than Coilguns. The sound Kunz has is a little more polished, but also a lot more open. It'd be interesting if the band experimented with keyboards and samples, as ambience would help the straight noise pull through. This is a debut though, so one can only expect any more releases to be an advancement forward. The way it compares to Coilguns side is excellent though, because both bands sound the same, but also so different. The wild first half is met with an equally primal second half, but slows down to give the listener a breath of air.
Comparing these bands to others does them no real justice, and even if they're not original, they're a fun listen. From frantic to an almost relaxed state, the album clashes in a balanced way, and I'd suggest anyone who's a fan of the bands mentioned to try and find this, I'm sure it won't disappoint.
