Fix Me
Hard to believe it was 7 years ago when R13 first crossed paths with A Place To Bury Strangers in a tiny venue at SXSW with about 20 people in attendance. The talent and the dire need for ear plugs were there for all to see and hear. Fast forward to today and Oliver Ackermann, now joined by bassist Dion Lunadon and, more recently, drummer Robi Gonzalez have grown in stature playing to sell-out crowds all over the globe.
As with its predecessors, Transfixiation is an album full of noise, feedback and the APTBS standard distortion. For those that have been keenly observing the band since their debut release back in 2008 will know the subtle changes and development in the progression. There was certainly no ‘wow’ factor on first listen of the latest release that was in evidence with the early work. In fact, on first listen it seemed a bit weak compared to the prior releases. However, just like a good bottle of wine, it got better in time, or in this case, with each subsequent listen but not sure you can go as far as calling it a vintage though.
The majority of the 11 tracks have the edgy titles to them, I Will Die, Deeper, Lower Zone and Now It’s Over are examples that you are not going to be listening to upbeat tunes, not sure Oliver Ackermann’s vocals can do upbeat, nor would we want to hear them.
APTBS have attempted to make the recording of Transfixiation to capture the experience you get at their live shows, not so much on the gimmicks and recording straight to tape. This is no easy task as the live shows are amongst some of the best on the current circuit. What is clear is that the tracks on this release will fit perfectly into their live sets.
Speaking of their live shows, APTBS are heading back to the UK from April, click Here for all the dates.