Test Transmission are a post-rock/grunge quartet from Leeds
and Harrogate. They describe their sound as "Harsh, male vocals twin with
melodic female vocals, soaring above a dark ambiance, brought about by
effect-driven guitars, heavy undertones and powerful drum beats." and are
influenced by bands such as 'Biffy Clyro' and 'Smashing Pumpkins', whist still
having a very distinctive sound of their own. They have played venues all over
Harrogate and Leeds and seem well on their way to larger venues and more high-profile
gigs.
Their début EP ‘Urgency’ was released on 1st Feb, and is
available for free download here
Before I start, there's one thing I need to make clear which
is also present in other reviews of the EP, the mixing is very poor, the
balance between the vocals, guitars and drums in particular makes the overall
sound of the album lack a lot of dynamics and balls. In my opinion this should
be overlooked when looking at the EP, poor mixing is always an issue for bands
on a shoe-string budget and should not really be held against them, and I'll
avoid bringing it up again too often. Now that's out of the way, on with the
review…
Test Transmission - Urgency EP
The opening track ‘Collateral Damage’ gives the EP a very
atmospheric opening, with a brilliant opening riff, being a good statement of
intent for what is to come. It is also good to see that each track on the EP is
individual, while still retaining a similar sound that keeps them together,
something the band should be credited for. The single from the EP ‘With You’
provides a strong song with some nice hooks, good harmonies and intricate
guitar parts, working together for a very competent song. ‘Coalesce’ gives a
slightly heavier sound to the EP, with ‘chugging’ guitars at the opening, the
Biffy Clyro influence prevalent here, however the track could certainly do with
being a bit more ‘in your face’ dynamics-wise, something that I’m sure isn’t an
issue live. 'Programme' starts with a droaning guitar, reminiscent of one of my
favourite songs ‘There There’ by Radiohead. The vocals seem to be a bit out on
a limb and isolated from the rest of the music, something that unfortunately does
not work that well, unlike for bands such as ‘Joy Division’ where it is one of
their most defining features. ‘Our Promises’ is a more indie-rock ‘The Cure’-type song, a more toned down and
tender end to the EP, the song itself is arguably the best on the EP, however
the ‘drop’ or ‘break’ about half way through is disappointing, with slightly
better mixing, it could sound massive, euphoric and really give the ending of
the EP some charisma, rather than the lacklustre thing is it now.
There are a few other overall points I’d like to make;
Firstly the vocals for some may be a bit of an acquired taste, while Louise’s
vocals may not cause that much of an issue and personally I think suits their
ambient sound slightly more, Connors are a lot more distinctive. This is in no
way a bad thing, bands like WU LYF (who sadly are no more) had a lead vocalist whose
vocals were sometimes painful to listen to and then bands such as Biffy and The
Phantom Band which have distinctive regional accents for their vocals. EP’s are
also all about potential; they are the tool bands use to get better gigs, radio
appearances, festival slots and many more, as well as giving an indication of
what the band is capable. The reason I’ve given the band a slightly better
review than others is that I think that there is a lot of potential there, and I
will be very interested to see where the band decide to go from here, whether ‘bigger
rock’ like bands such as Biffy and ‘As I Watch You From Afar’ or more ambient
post-rock like bands such as ‘Bon Iver’ or ‘Godspeed You! Black Emperor’,
either way I’m sure there is only better come from them.
7/10
Here is the single from this EP, ‘With You’:
The band will be playing dates throughout February including
this Friday at The Library In Leeds supporting Jonny Quits (which I will be reviewing – see the event preview here)
Mason
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