Review: Huge Molasses Tank Explodes ‘III’
Throughout their musical journey that began in the mid-2000s, and took flight with the release of their eponymous debut album in 2017 via Flying Kids Records, Milan-based alt rock outfit Huge Molasses Tank Explodes, named after The Great Molasses Flood, a truly surreal and catastrophic event that occurred in Boston on January 15th, 1919 inundating the city’s North End neighbourhood with over two million gallons of thick, sticky molasses, has deftly woven a lavish tapestry of sonic influences into their intricately crafted and highly evocative sound.
Drawing deep inspiration from a kaleidoscopic array of musical genres, ranging from the fuzzed-out psychedelia of garage rock to the dreamy, textured soundscapes of shoegaze, all imbued with an undercurrent of experimental rock adventurousness. The band has forged a signature style that pays reverent homage to the brooding introspection and dark, atmospheric tones of 1980s post-punk while simultaneously infusing their music with a distinctly modern sensibility and intensely personal flair that feels urgently relevant to the present moment.
Through their powerful, emotive songs, Huge Molasses Tank Explodes fearlessly seek to give a resounding voice to their innermost emotions and lived experiences, deftly crafting a sound that feels at once warmly familiar and breathtakingly fresh, nostalgically classic and yet somehow bracingly cutting-edge.
Now, with an impressive trilogy of critically acclaimed albums under their belt, capped off by their latest release, the aptly titled III, this quite intriguing and explosive quartet, invites listeners to don their headphones and embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and contemplative reflection – a pilgrimage of the soul that boldly explores the complex interplay and eternal tensions between past and present, the unique and the universal.
However, with their sophomore album II, released in 2020, marking their debut on Italian label RetroVox Records, the band boldly departs from the psychedelic garage rock stylings that defined their first record. Instead, they fearlessly plunge into a shadowy realm of post-punk, conjuring up an immersive soundscape drenched in dark, fluid guitar tones and ethereal, plummeting vocals characteristic of shoegaze. This captivating fusion evokes the brooding spirit of Joy Division seamlessly interwoven with Interpol’s modern edge, yielding a sound that is at once overwhelming and mesmerizing.
crafting a sonic journey that defies categorisation and pushes the boundaries of their artistry to thrilling new heights…
Their latest album III, released on the newly formed Tidal Wave Records, showcases the band’s penchant for exploring uncharted musical territories, venturing far beyond the realms of their previous two works. The four years since II have seen the group undergo a musical rebirth, shedding the confines of post-punk in favour of a sound that oscillates between the elektro kraut rock of Kraftwerk and psychedelic rock tinged with a hint of stoner influence.
The opening track, Rise, evocative of Vangelis’ Chariots Of Fire, seamlessly blends into second track Bow Of Gold, a mesmerising flow of experimental psychedelic brilliance and dreamy shoegaze textures. The album effortlessly weaves between the ethereal atmospheres reminiscent of The Flaming Lips in Distant Glow and the translucent, almost haunting touch of Eerie Light, capable of captivating even the most jaded listener.
The instrumental Indeterminate exudes an enchanting aura that transports the listener to the golden age of kraut rock, evoking the spellbinding soundscapes pioneered by bands like Can, Faust and Neu! From the first notes, one is drawn into an enthralling sonic journey, as the pulsating rhythms and shimmering textures intertwine in a seamless tapestry of sound. The hypnotic groove undulates with a fluid grace, each instrument locked into an unbreakable synergy while still allowed space to breathe and evolve organically over the course of the piece.
The closing track, Endless Mourn, stands out as a tour de force, an overwhelming and spectacular composition that unleashes a warm, otherworldly sound, leaving an indelible impression long after the final notes have faded away.
With III, the band continue to refine and evolve their sound, pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the frame of their chosen genres, fearlessly embraces musical instability, crafting a sonic journey that defies categorisation and pushes the boundaries of their artistry to thrilling new heights.
Label: Tidal Wave Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
