Having never heard UNBITE before, Merge introduces you to them by way of a rather magnificent slap across the face. UNBITE have a sound akin to a jagged sonic assault like twisted rollercoaster ride into a wall of granite.
This female fronted Stuttgart three piece have, without doubt, a formidable sound. Every track taking you on a journey back to the 70’s and 80’s international experimental scene: art school punks revelling in surrealist clamour. This novel EP is the perfect introduction to a band that deserves to be heard.
Opening track Empty Head lays the foundation of this self produced EP. It says “this is UNBITE” plain and simple. Bass heavy experimental punk with a jazz-like air and bounce.
Hypnotic Command swaggers in with such demeanour, it literally shouts “I don’t give a damn what you think” as it hurtles towards instrumental Ringo. Again, a piece that holds its own and kinda reminds you observing that awkward moment when the somewhat imbibed person lurches on to the dance floor. The melody swirls through the air as if played by a psychotic clown on a circus organ.
Traces, a feverishly driven tune with explosive rhythmic energy, remains cleverly disjointed and abrasive, like all these tracks. Dance: yes. Type of dance: WAR. Traces starts sparse, allowing the guitar and drums to create tension before stopping for a beat. The full band picks up the pace, Daniela holds her notes on the light use of lyrics, until the band drops back into what appears to be their trademark symphonic like epilogue.
Blame Balance is vicious and scorches the soul like an engine’s pumping pistons. You imagine yourself dripping sweat in the mosh. Discordant guitar over driving rhythm before flowing into the broken chorus
The EP closes with Oram, an orchestrated threatening industrial style piece peppered with oddly dissonant harmonies. Oram dips in the middle to a bass rhythm similar to a heart beat before slowly drifting away leaving a shiver down your spine.
There is an undeniable art to their cleverly planned track arrangement: as each is unique so they are similarly different with clever use of dynamics and pace tying it all together like a beautifully wrapped Halloween gift finished with a delightfully seductive a black satin bow. But seriously, when we say we were first approached by UNBITE to take a listen our intrigue was piqued for Germany is kinda known to have a serious underground scene.
With plans to tour Austria and Switzerland in 2020 and also to record a full LP in the European Spring PLUS some incredible merch we look forward to see what comes next.
Turbo Nun Entertainment Group 