EP REVIEW - TRITONIC - Algae Bloom

TRITONIC

Algae Bloom

London, United Kingdom

Tritonic punches us squarely in the soundscape with their ‘Algae Bloom’ EP. It is a display of classic nineties angst pitted against modern sounds and vocals. The EP found root for me in its theme of distaste for modern work life and a want for simplicity that feels just out of reach.

‘Algae Bloom’ sets off sprinting. The spiralling sounds of pads and bells whirl and build before the striking boom of drums and drones breaks through the monotony. Harsh vocals introduce themselves in a flurry of deep guttural lines that ooze with revulsion. Tritonic focus on the feeling of confusion in their opening, setting you up to dial into their message in the coming tracks. ‘Algae Bloom’ is angry, fast-paced, incredibly rhythmic brilliance. Being the title track you can expect the rest of the EP to follow suit, and it surely does.

‘Roof To A Field’ opens with calm dissonant guitars, plucking chords from the air and forming a complex progression. This is taken over by the gritty vocals and instrumental that push home a punk melody. The song is broken into two halves: stronger, raunchy vocal screams that blow out the rhythm; and clean-cut chorus breaks that show us Tritonic’s musicality. It is a great clashing of sonic feelings. A solid guitar riff makes the song memorable and the fantastic use of cowbell keeps the mirrored track feeling whole. (Gotta love a cowbell.)

If you wanted more of the grunge sound, driven by the power of Triton’s punk vocals, you should listen to the powerful, ‘Dead By Thirty’. A blend of what has come before, harsh vocals, clean choruses and what I would describe as early Alice in Chains breaks. If ‘Algae Bloom’ is a gradient of harsh punk to clean grunge then ‘Dead By Thirty’ sits squarely in the middle. We get our first taste of a Turnstile style vocal over the Tritonic clash of instruments and a breakdown that chews the cud. A great song that I only wish lasted longer! It is, however, a perfect set-up for the following song on the EP, ‘Deep River’. The song takes us away from the constant noise and lets us breathe, though for how long? ‘Deep River’ feels perfect for around a campfire, utilising croakers and delicious vocal harmonies. It is a brief respite from the distilled emotion we have been hurtled through prior, brief because of the upcoming song.

‘I Want You To Know’ is where Tritonic hit their stride for me. The whole EP feels like an ornate, grunge-inspired, jewellery box designed specifically to deliver ‘I Want You To Know’ into your ear canals with full force. The undulating pads break away to make room for a beefy riff that will stay with you for days, they hit an amazing blend of hardcore vocals and clean-cut lyrics. All of this, and a blazing ending that weighs a tonne. ‘I Want You To Know’ will be a classic for Tritonic in no time.

We end with, ‘Join A Union’. Feedback and dark chords lay atop rolling drums in this modern grunge tune that you can’t help but move to. Short and sweet, Tritonic say what they need to and deliver a smashing melody, leaving us wanting encore after sweaty encore. Tritonic’s, ‘Algae Bloom’, makes music out of strife and turmoil. The message is loud and clear and I’m here for it.

Check out Tritonic, I’m sure you’ll be eagerly awaiting their next release right along with me.

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