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Blotto
Singles Collection 2004-2007 |
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Tracklist |
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01 - (teenage)disastar
02 - Talking Machine
03 - interceptor
04 - atmosphere
05 - Beautiful Target
06 - marvelous
07 - father |
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Review |
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So what's a band that goes by 9mm Parabellum Bullet (named after a type of bullet casing) supposed to sound like? Given the slightly violent name I had my bets hedged on something suitably heavy; metal being a better choice as opposed to hardcore or screamo (they're not called I Took a 9mm Parabellum Bullet For You, after all). I was pretty wrong on that account, as this band, stylistically or otherwise, has far more in common with a Mack truck than a bullet. After forming just two years ago, 9mm Parabellum Bullet has poked its head out of Tokyo indie obscurity with Gjallarhorn, a debut EP that seemingly came out of nowhere, steamrolling unsuspecting listeners with its big sound in the process.
Despite the short 20-minute run time of Gjallarhorn, it's clear the 9mm boys have dreamed up a winning formula. Working with an emocore-influenced base along the lines of Rites of Spring with softer vocals, the band slips in a liberal dosage of new wave to really shake up their style to great effect, especially on the infectious and danceable "Talking Machine." The pulsing and more complex riffs throughout the recording recall Sparta Locals' Sun Sun Sun at times as well. The band's youthful charisma carries these disparate influences skillfully, making for an electric 20 minutes full of surprises.
The band has one more weapon up their sleeves in their lead guitar. With its characteristic high-pitched call that soars over the rest of the members, the riffing that closes up "(teenage)disastar" and "Talking Machine" has enough hooks to make the whole album spin and easily ends up being the most memorable part of either track. The guitar returns on "interceptor," adding in variety in a more rhythmic position. However, the band's songwriting chops are strong enough that they don't overuse their lead guitarist, spiriting him away for most of the latter half of the EP which instead throws in blues rock ("Beautiful Target") or explores their style in a slow six ("father") to keep the listener interested.
With Gjallarhorn, 9mm Parabellum Bullet has managed to stretch 20 recorded minutes as far as humanly possible. There are enough solid melodies and ideas on here to make an album twice as long, and that's what keeps Gjallarhorn so exciting. One taste of this EP reveals the band's potential to become the next big thing in Japan's indie scene. If 9mm keeps it up their days of playing six-band showcases at the O-nest are surely numbered. |
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