A large dose of serendipity saw this band come together. Featuring former members of Mammal, MM9 and K-Oscilate, those three bands happened to split up at approximately the same time, freeing the musicians up to form Sub Atari Knives. And our ears are the beneficiary.
Obviously there are a few outfits out there doing the electro-rock thing. It’s a good double-pronged market to tap into, but this is something else altogether. These guys, almost accidentally, have tapped into something quite unique, fresh and dynamic. That electro feel is there in droves, there are elements of dubstep, and occasionally they resemble someone like Aphex Twin. But they have taken that feel and cranked it up several notches, even more so than drummer Ben’s former and MM9. With its wild and frenetic tempos you could be forgiven for dubbing (pardon the pun) this ‘electro thrash’, but there’s even more to it than that.
There’s a subtle but strong symphonic feel to some of the songs as well. There’s even some didgeridoo on Alter Ego. These things could sound very out of place in the hands of less skilled musicians in a frenzied electro rock setting, but this trio blend and meld them seamlessly.
This EP is five tracks of slamming electro rock with an infectious and uplifting energy. They show a musical sensibility that is light years beyond what most robotic electro artists are capable of. Yet another stunning Aussie release of 2012 – the year has been a smorgasbord.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: Hear.Life.Spoken
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: MM9, THE PRODIGY, KORN (the last album)
In A Word: Electric
