Censor (EP) |KOH, 2008|
1. Use You, 2. The Censor, 3. Thoughtful Animal, 4. Korona
KOH it's a Croatian band which operates computers and samplers in a gentle way, but real instruments are accented and exposed what puts them on a high position in a list of the most interesting industrial rock bands I've came across recently.
The CD itself is a multimedia one with aside of the audio tracks includes also a printable-clickable content like bio, links, pictures and of course contact section, all made as an easy loading presentation. There is an option to save files as mp3s on your hard drive so it's a nice feature for someone who likes things portable ;)
The band focuses mainly on a guitar-bas section co working together very well, putting a stable rhythm and rock dynamics to the tracks (f.e. Censor song). The drums appears always in the right spots so the songs attract a lot. Predatory vocals, typical for rock music with good spoken English, what I pay attention to in case of bands English isn't the first language for.
Thoughtful Animal it's another great song on the EP with the dynamic bass lines and punk-like drums, easy to remember refrains and predatory guitar riffs. I can hear inspirations of hard core and hard rock, but in the end of the track there are a few guitar solos too. There is also drum beat treated with a sampler in the background what adds the song more dynamics.
A pearl in the crown is Korona song which attracts me the same way as at the beginning when I heard that at their Myspace profile player. The songs brings a mysterious atmosphere built by keyboards, samplers and guitars similar to those used in 'Just Like You Imagined' by Nine Inch Nails. It always works on me when a band uses contrast sounds, because they make a song attractive especially when supported by a smartly written composition.
Use You stands for a clearly dynamic track with a rock vibe, but if the band used a computer they made it in a very gentle way, and that's fine with me. I loved guitar riffs coming in suddenly and a fusion between bass and guitars with properly put drum beats rhythm.
I do recommend KOH for all this freshness they bring to the genre and a continuation of what other influencing bands have done to an expected (at least by me!) way. Along with [f.e.v.e.r.] and Prime Sinister they are another interesting European band, which made it clear that a use of real instruments makes much more attractive music than computer made songs with pre-made samples what sounds boring. KOH guys show they can play and what's important they can cooperate in a band to share the ideas standing for the certain songs. Let it be this way with a hope for the full album released sometime soon! (
Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)
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