ClownSmashEverything - Quickening

CLOWNSMASHEVERYTHING – QUICKENING EP

By Pavlis

9/10

Local heroes ClownSmashEverything follow up their 2017 debut album The Bombs Are Getting Closer and 2019’s Small Degrees EP with new mini-LP Quickening. With a sound that takes in post-hardcore, metal, alt.rock and even dashes of old school 70s glam and oi, ClownSmashEverything come on like the mutant offspring of Wildhearts and Shellac. And without really sounding anything like Gn’R, CSE also have the deliciously sleazy rock swagger of that brief period in the late 80s when Axl and co were genuinely the most dangerous (and exciting) band in the world.

Gav is in fine form with his strangled yelp delivering some coal black but humorous lyrics. His and Jay’s guitars deliver high-energy riffs that are almost post-punk in their angularity, whilst the rhythm section of Chris (bass) and Zak (drums) are positively raging.

This five-tracker clocks in at a few seconds shy of 15 minutes. It may be short but it is perfectly formed. From opener Flat Earthers Must Die to closer The Quickening of the Heart, it is a barrage of unrelenting energy. Kudos must go to producer Dave (Wildhearts, Carol Hodge, Marc Valentine) Draper for capturing ClownSmashEverything in all their glory.

Anyone that likes their music fast and heavy but melodic and with shoutalong choruses should get this now. Failing that get down to the Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds on 8th September, the Reindeer in Norwich on 9th Septemberor the Six Six Bar in Cambridge on 10th September for the launch shows. Better yet, get this and get to the shows.