Paraline – Sound Weapon
Paraline – Sound Weapon
Eclipse Records
Release Date: 01.03.24
Running Time: 20:07
Review by Oli Gonzalez
7/10
Life’s all about trade-offs and making risk to reward assessments, right? This can be as trivial as choosing what to have for breakfast or moving to the other side of the world for a life changing job opportunity. Fortune favours the brave after all. Or so they say. In the case of Paraline, I’d say they’ve definitely took some risks with their expansive alternative rock stylings, and have certainly pushed some boundaries here. This is also an opportunity for me to escape my comfort zone of doom and black metal, and to try my hand at a more alternative rock outfit. Not so much of a huge risk for me; either I like it or I don’t. I’ve always admired the bands who push themselves to do something different creatively, so I was sure I was going to enjoy their upcoming EP “Sound Weapon”. An EP which promises to be a ‘spectacular genre-defying fusion of insightful lyrics and haunting melodies’. That got my attention. Let’s get into it.
In terms of genre, well, don’t bother trying to box them into one neatly packaged box. They’ll just smash out of that box and make you question why you even tried. Though they definitely lay on a more experimental and alternative end of the spectrum. As well as borrowing a more industrious element, perhaps most prominent in ‘Icarus’ and ‘Hyperdynamic’. The pulsating rhythms forcing their way through my headphones are almost impossible to ignore in the former, whereas ‘Hyperdynamic’ feels like a post-apocalyptic rave in parts! Almost seeming like an afterthought in these songs, the lead guitars take centre stage in ‘One Shot, One Kill’, with a variety of compositional techniques. Whether it’s some more experimental passages or good old fashioned bone crunching overdrive, there’s definitely something here to satiate the palette of the most demanding of tone enthusiasts here. ‘1999’ takes on a more melancholy vibe, but emotional nonetheless, much in the style of an earlier Radiohead (much like ‘No Surprises’ or ‘Karma Police’). This vibe continues into the final track ‘Perfect Blue’ with the welcome addition of electronic beats and synths to add an extra spice and variety.
Vocally, I found this is to be make or break in parts for the band, in what has been described as ‘creating the heart and soul of Paraline’s sound’. Leo is a talented vocalist for sure, with his voice dripping with raw emotion in the opening track ‘Icarus’, perhaps his strongest performance of the EP. I do worry if he gets drowned out later in the EP though, especially during ‘1999’. This could be a simple mixing fix, or a more fundamental technique issue. I’ll let you decide.
Overall, Paraline have taking some risks with fusing a more experimental and expansive sound. For the most part, this is has certainly hit the mark! Some refinement may be required, but “Sound Weapon” is almost certainly worth taking a punt on come release day!
TRACKLISTING:
01. Icarus
02. One Shot, One Kill
03. Hyperdynamic
04. 1999
05. Perfect Blue
LINE-UP:
Leo “Light” Andersen – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Kirill Langley – Lead Guitar
Alex Shustoff – Bass Guitar
Kirill Pargin – Drums
LINKS
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