We Got This Far - Blunt Force Volume

Title:  Blunt Force Volume
Artist: We Got This Far
Genre:  Electronic / Rock
Release Date: 21st August 2009
Label: Spiralchords / COP International



Album Review

The rather short story of WE GOT THIS FAR starts in 2006 with the meeting of Oliver Marsh and Jason Silva who eventually find out they’re getting along quite well both on a musical and personal level. The two retreat for a while and start working on songs. 2008 sees the creative two-piece releasing the ‘Bludgeon’ 12” vinyl single to critical acclaim. Also the live god meant well with them, having them do a plethora of energy-packed shows with such acts as DISMANTLED or DAWN OF ASHES for instance. All of this time, they kept working on their sound, refining it until it was up to their own standards. The result of this meticulous work is the debut album ‘Blunt Force Volume’.

The instrumental piece ‘Breath Before The Plunge’ opens the door to ‘Blunt Force Volume’. Should you decide to walk through, you’ll be offered a sound that in parts reminds of old industrial rock heroes like the NINE INCH NAILS, if you need the reference, but actually is nothing like you’ve heard before. A chain of slightly bleeping electronics welcomes you and soon, an ongoing trademark of the band’s sound is being established with a kind of Americana-inspired guitar style. Something that is quite untypical in such a musical environment, but stressing the unique character of the project! A tower of crunchy synths, tensile atmospheres and harsher guitars builds upon them, which in its first moments seems chaotic, but reveals strong musicianship if you just let it take effect on you for a while.

The second track ‘Like Dying’ saws into my ears with a storm of driving, savvy electronics and atonal guitar treatment at the beginning. The entire track remains sparsely minimalist concerning bigger melodies, but spews emotion nonetheless with Oliver’s expressive vocals. It’s like he’s doing a soul strip for the listeners. There’s no hiding behind cryptic metaphors, which I love sometimes, however a more direct lyrical delivery has its charm for me as well. ‘Sedonia’ is the track; you’ll get to hear soon on the ‘Septic VIII’, the newest part of the compilation released on the revived label Dependent Records. It utilizes bleeping electronics as an introduction to whispering and quivering vocals, causing a certain tension in you. Also in the background, there’s one constantly vibrating under the surface. It never breaks through, though. Instead the song presents more moments of deep melancholy which is also an integral part of the duo’s works and additionally shows the variety of moods they’re able to generate.

Upon listening through ‘Blunt Force Volume’, you’ll be surprised by the variety of its compositions time and again, as well as you will discover the incredible potential that lies in the music. I believe that they’ve a bright future ahead of them and who knows; one day they might even become one of the big names in the genre. I consider myself a fan now and I’ll be sure to follow their activities from now on.