The Carnival Rejects and The Parasitic Twins are two fairly recent band creations that one might assume are still finding their own way in the world of music, the former the veteran of these bands with a five year long history while the latter is a more recent creation if my memory serves me correct. Earlier this year the two bands joined forces and released the split EP “The Parasitic Rejects”, which was released through UK label Man Demolish Records.
Of these two bands, The Parasitic Twins are known to me from a previous occasion, and I rather enjoyed their debut EP that was released last year. The Carnival Rejects is a new discovery however, and on this occasion the band I also took most note of.
It’s not that The Carnival Rejects brings much new to the table here. Their foundation appears to reside in good, old fashioned late 70’s punk rock, with the vocals and rhythms in particular staying true to the form. They do add the occasional post-punk details to their songs however, as well as heading into more regular landscapes with a few bits and pieces on one occasion as well, but by and large this is music for the classic era punk fan. Accessible music with a relatively broad potential within this specific context.
The Parasitic Twins are more of a lo-fi, raw and gnarly band, and I guess they will always explore the very thin boundary of what sounds great in such a context and what doesn’t. On this occasion I find the band miss a lot more than they hit with their brand of angst-filled doom metal, with the vocals in particular striking me as out of place when combined with the music explored. Even on ‘Feel Nothing’, which is the song that works best for me by far, the end result strikes me as slightly lacking. Personal taste in music can only say so much of course, but for me at least I feel that the songs they contribute have much more of a niche appeal than both the band they hare this EP with as well as with their own previously released material. In addition, I should probably add that their cover version of Babylon Zoo’s ‘Spaceman’ strikes me as a rather divisive one.
As a total experience, “The Parasitic Rejects” EP is one that will call out to those who love and treasure classic era punk rock with time typical aggressive vocals just as much as they adore rough, raw and dirty lo-fi doom metal with angst-filled hardcore style vocals. Both of them niche segments, with the former probably a bit more expansive than the latter. I don’t see this EP making strong waves beyond those circles, however.
My rating: 53/100
—-
Track list:
1. The Carnival Rejects – Disengage
2. The Carnival Rejects – Seize Control
3. The Carnival Rejects – To The Bone
4. The Parasitic Twins – Autopsy
5. The Parasitic Twins – Feel Nothing
6. The Parasitic Twins – Spaceman
—-
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/thecarnivalrejects/
https://www.facebook.com/ParasiticTwinsBand/
https://www.facebook.com/Mandemolish/
