Swedish quartet EPIDEMICS have been around since 2007, with a debut album dating back to 2008 followed by an EP and a single to their name, alongside quite a substantial number of live shows if my impressions are correct. Come 2013 and the foursome hooked up with Swedish label Transubstans Records, who released the bands sophomore, self-titled production through their Troglodyte imprint.
A key word that will hit just about everybody a few seconds into this album is punk. This is a band that is familiar with late 70’s punk rock, and their material revolves around the key elements of that style: Up tempo songs dominated by staccato, basic guitar riffs, a tight rhythm section and aggressive lead vocals. What sets Epidemics apart from many others is that they have a bit more going on than merely a retro take on classic punk rock.
I’m fairly certain that someone in this band know their way around 60’s and 70’s garage rock for starters, as many songs contain elements that can be traced back to the band that influenced the punk movement that would come a few years later. And unless I’m much mistaken, there’s a few elements of 70’s glam rock tossed in here and there too, in the specifics department there were a few times that I heard a brief movement or a subtle details that made me recall a classic show named The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
These details are, mainly, in the shape of guitar details, as Epidemics use a bit more than the expected compact, basic guitar riffs on their songs. Occasionally we’re treated to the remnants of a guitar solo, there’s even a few proper ones, and melodic, repeated riff-based themes and lead motifs also expand the palette of this band a bit beyond the archetypical, late 70’s punk rock.
With a drummer capable of tossing in a few nifty, sophisticated details here and there and a bassist that provides distinctly melodic bass motifs of the kind that gives me associations to post punk as well as the likes of UK band Killing Joke as they sounded in their most mainstream oriented period on the mid 80’s, there’s just a bit more than mere punk here. The dominating aspects are punk oriented and inspired without a doubt, but Epidemics manage to flavor that arguably basic, primitive style of music with touches of both elegance and sophistication, the end result a high energy, melodic brand of music residing somewhere in the borderlands between garage rock, punk and post punk.
I see Epidemics described as a melodic punk band here and there, which I guess is fair enough. Personally I’d toss in words like elegant and sophisticated too, as regarded in the context of a band described as punk rock that is, and also claim that there’s a tiny bit of both garage rock and post punk to be found here as well. A touch of mid 80’s Killing Joke, and for those familiar with them I’ll name drop Norwegian band Raga Rockers too, but with a female lead vocalist that adds a rather different touch to the sound explored by this fine Swedish band.
As far as recommendations go, I suspect those with a soft spot for bands that utilize the high energy, in your face approach of punk rock within a more melodic context with room for details of a more nuanced and sophisticated nature as well, Epidemics is a band that should please them. Fans of melodic punk rock and post punk with a stronger emphasis on punk than post should also find this album to be a fairly safe investment.
My rating: 90/100
