Experimental noise metal band SMIRK have cooked up a loud, brash and incredibly layered self-titled EP, set to release on the 3rd of October.
Citing bands like The Melvins and Swans as influences, SMIRK are an underrated band that deserve your full attention if noise music is your scene.
The most interesting thing about SMIRK is there expansive use of different instruments and use of two drummers. What helps their EP stand out is their use of the trombone, trumpet and a particularly effective baritone guitar.
SMIRK consists of three songs, coming in at just around twenty five minutes worth of music. Each song is packed full of varied instrumentation and interesting lyrics that’ll have you both scratching your head and deeply fascinated at the same time.
Square opens the EP up in spectacular style. Starting slow, the song explodes by the two and a half minute mark, Alistair Quietsch’s vocals melodically sing along as the instruments fight for dominance in the mix. It’s a daunting song but with each subsequent listen I’ve found myself falling more and more in love with its deeply complex instrumentation and interesting lyrics.
Circle builds on the foundations set by Square, however it leans into noise metal far more than the opener. The soundscape created in its almost eight minute run time is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. If you like your music loud, your instruments mental and your vocals distorted, Circle is the song for you.
Triangle breaks open with vocalist and baritone guitarist Alistair screaming as the brass section follows along with him, it’ll take you by surprise if your not expecting it, but it makes for a great opening to the closing song of the EP. The rest of the song follows the same format set out by the previous tracks, the song changes and morphs along its nine minute run time, circling back to the same guitar line every once in a while. It’s a fantastic closer to an EP that experiments heavily, yet never fails to hit the mark.
If you’re in the mood for some experimental noise metal but just can’t seem to find anything new to listen to. SMIRK has got you covered.
SMIRK’s self titled EP can be streamed here.
The EP will be fully released on October 3rd and the band will be performing songs off of the EP that night at Nice ‘N’ Sleazy in Glasgow. Information for that can be found here.