Album Review
Even the most enthusiastic punk-rock devotee would be forgiven for failing to name a punk band from the sunny holiday destination of Tenerife. In fact, it’s probably fair to say that, outside of the Canaries, the small Spanish resort is not exactly well-known for its exports in hardcore music. However, unlike the island’s volcano El Teide, it seems that Tenerife’s punk-rock scene is far from dormant.
"Tarantula Mata" is the new mini-album from This Drama, a five-piece hardcore band from the largest of the Canary Islands. Having already received some impressive reviews for their debut LP ‘San Diego XIII’ last year, the group haven’t wasted any time in capitalising on this previous success by letting loose their latest offering.
Anyone imagining Tenerife’s first punk exports to sound like some kind of cheery melodic hardcore should think again. Adding to their existing list of credentials, This Drama have enlisted the production talents of Joby J Ford, guitarist with LA hardcore rockers The Bronx. Ford, who recently worked with Trash Talk on their album "Eyes and Nines", is no stranger to a bit of brutality when it comes to punk-rock music, so prospective listeners should know exactly what to expect.
From the word go on opening track ‘Espera Miseria’, This Drama pack a fierce, high-energy punch that hits like a speeding train of punk-rock ferocity. The furious vocals of frontman Asdrubal Marichal, combined with relentless guitars and frantic drumming, make for an irresistibly entertaining listen. The mixture of breakneck-speed hardcore and heavy rock guitars makes their sound quite similar to that of the aforementioned Bronx, whilst still managing to retain their own unique style.
The bluesy hard-rock music that kicks off next track ‘127 La Brea’ could almost be something by AC/DC or the like, but despite the more rhythmical intro, This Drama soon pick up the pace as the song turns into another high-impact blast of punk chaos. Elsewhere, the CD is loaded with infectious guitar riffs, tuneful rhythms and harmonious vocals that add some pleasant-sounding flavours to the recklessness on display.
The only real complaint about this album is that, reaching only about twenty minutes in length, it’s far too short. In spite of this, "Tarantula Mata" is a fantastic CD that’s packed full of enough passionate and hectic rock music to please most punk fans. This Drama have proved that, even if the Canary Islands don’t have much to offer the world in terms of hardcore music, This Drama certainly do. Hopefully, their next release will be a proper full-length album filled with the same kind of intense energy and, maybe, we will see some equally impressive Tenerife-based bands follow in their footsteps.