Telescopic Observations
Northern Ireland outfit And So I Watch You From Afar (ASIWYFA) have been getting some seriously good press since they arrived on the scene and here in the Rocksound Cave at Guilfest they’re about to show exactly why that is.
Having just watched fellow instrumentalists 65 Days Of Static play a blinder on the main stage I’m interested to see how ASIWYFA compare. They’re not a million miles away in sound but they bring something a little different, they don’t have the electronics of 65DOS, preferring to stick to more guitar driven tracks. The key for instrumental bands is holding the interest but they manage it with ease, packing the songs full of dynamics. They play around with time signatures and veer from soft intricate moments to full on war with crushing heavy riffs creating a real wall of sound.
There is some fine musicianship on display from all members and the mark of how good they are is that you don’t even notice the absence of singing. They go down well in front of a good crowd and save the best until last, building the tension and ensuring that the audience come away with a lasting impression. We came in with an open mind and leave as converts, great stuff.