Fog Bandits today release their debut EP This Coven, and in a mega week of announcements and releases, the Scottish quartet deserve to be heard. This is to be played loud and be warned, it will immediately get under the skin of the listener. The band share that the five tracks “bring together elements of punk, metal, emo and 2000s alternative into a short story revolving around dreams, ambition and the obstacles that get in the way.” What comes to mind on first listen is “is this really a debut?”. The five tracks and their production (Blair Crichton of Dead Pony) are fired with a raw energy from the very start.
The EP opens with the title track, a sound of money dropping into a slot, and we’re off with a pulsating, pumping, pounding song. Lyrically it’s derived from crazy conspiracies of what celebrities have done to achieve their fame. The instrumentation is tight and edgy, the tension is never too away. The track builds in intensity until it has a pause for thought on the outro. By the end of ‘This Coven’ there is only one question, “Will the rest of EP maintain this exuberant energy?”.
There are moments when songs are created but need time to ferment and so it was with ‘Hometime’, one of the oldest songs by Fog Bandits. It was revisited for the EP and the vocal of Jamie Linden shines here. ‘Hometime’ edges towards hardcore, ferocious in its vibe. Just listen to that passionate delivery “I fucking hate you.” The band share the following:
“‘Hometime’ is about anxiety and peer pressure. It’s about not really knowing your crowd but trying to fit with it. Mostly about being young and making bad decisions whilst being convinced it’ll work out in the end.”
‘Pretty Little Word’ is a highlight on This Coven. Fast and frantic punk rock. This is a band absolutely having a blast, it is so obvious, just listen to the intro. And then it launches like a rocket. The midtrack guitar riff is electrifying and the crashing drums wild. The vocals are fervent reflecting the theme of the experience of playing in a band on a local level. They continue: “From trying to get your friends to show interest, to the silhouettes of the crowd, to being able to very clearly see when someone isn’t into it at all. Ultimately, you should ignore that and fight to win over whoever wants to be won – because if you love it, you do it and you do it loud.” Mission accomplished.
‘VILE’ is one of those songs you need to throw all inhibitions out the window. It is heavy and static fuelled throughout with thunderous drums and wicked guitars plus a vocal at times distorted and others loaded with fury and frustration. ‘VILE’ is a three minute monster of a track which finishes way too soon, a sign of quality of course. Thematically it is about the pressure of unrealistic expectations, and coming to terms with the fact that your heroes and the people you idolise in the world of fame, aren’t as perfect as they seem. It is manic and the mayhem is cathartic, no question.
‘Get A Match’ brings the EP to an exhilarating end. An almost six minutes of scuzzy wild yet melodic noisescape. Fog Bandits share that it is their most ambitious song on the EP:
“‘Get A Match’ has been the most secretive we have been with a song for a reason. This brings together every sound on this project into one, it’s heavy, punky, gothic, but now adds in this melodic metal feel that elevates the sound to another level. The lyrics here are deeply personal to us as it frames the message of the whole EP. Sometimes if you want to make a change, you have to burn something down to start again. It’s about being sick and tired of feeling scared of the future and living in the moment to fight for your dreams.”
A coven is a meeting of witches and Fog Bandits have chosen the title of their debut wisely. They have taken various influences and not just blended them in a melting pot, but thrown them into the fire to create something which is very much their own. Fast and frantic instrumentation has created a whirlwind of sound which still holds onto the melody. The production is superb, dense and complex, tight yet giving a freedom to all parts. Again “is this really a debut?”. Congratulations Fog Bandits. Now bring on an album.
Fog Bandits Live Dates
August
15 – King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
Vocals: Jamie Linden
Backing Vocals: Dylan Orr, Adam Daly
Scream Vocals: Nico Coleman, Blair Crichton
Drums: Adam Daly
Guitar: Dylan Orr (lead), Jamie Linden, Blair Critchon
Bass: Nico Coleman, Jamie Linden
Produced & Mixed by: Blair Crichton
Studio: 45 A-Side Studios, Glasgow
Additional Production/synths: Jamie Linden
For more information on Fog Bandits please check their facebook and instagram.
Review: 8 out of 10