Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
From my overflowing queue collection comes this interesting split EP from Chicago’s ESCAPE IS NOT FREEDOM and dusK Village from parts unknown.
Dropped both digitally and on cassette back in late February, this four-track item features two songs from each band. The first to take the lead are ESCAPE IS NOT FREEDOM and their pair of offerings, “Boiling Nails” and “We’re Wrecked“.
I must immediately mention how drastically different these two songs are, one from the other and so much so, that this feels like two completely different bands. “Boiling Nails” is a heavy juggernaut that’s a throwback to Nineties grunge/alt. rock ala Fudge Tunnel or Helmet. With a powerful, aggressive output, the number careens its way into your head, invited or not, and makes itself quite at home.
When “We’re Wrecked” arrives, it is hard to believe this is the same band, EINF. Sedate, laid-back music in the vein of psych-ish shoegaze floats along before a female vocal (guest Emily Jancetic) joins Mike (guitar, vocals), Darrin (drums), and Josh (bass) in this mostly airy number. Things do pick up a bit here and there but not much as the group keeps things low-key and laid back.
At this point, I don’t know what the hell to expect from dusK Village, the trio of the assumed identities (I assume) SLAV, GIL, and FUKS. Things begin with the band’s first contribution, “Exolife Civilization Leak“, a dense, slow lumbering behemoth of darkly malevolent music and harsh vocals. It quickly brings Godflesh to mind and I love Godflesh so this is a promising development.
With “A Self Fan“, a decidedly more punk-type vibe takes the reigns. Stripped down, uptempo and a bit on the lo-fi side, this is also a one-eighty from the prior dusK Village cut. Cool though, emitting an almost early Butthole Surfers (music) meets Ratos de Porão (vocally).
There you have it, my take on the recent split EP from ESCAPE IS NOT FREEDOM and dusK Village. It may be just two bands but it sure sounds like four due to the immensely different feels each band delivers in their duo of tunes. Stream it for yourself or purchase HERE and you will hear what I mean.