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Band: Grooving In Green
Album title: Rebirth [EP]
Release date: 1 June 2015
Label: Self-Released
Tracklist:
01. 9th Circle
02. Escape Myself
03. Stranglehold
04. Some Kind Of Saviour
After a short hiatus that this band went through soon after the release of their sophomore studio album Stranglehold which was released in 2012, the groove gothsters return stronger than ever with a new EP. Actually with this release we get only two new songs, while "9th Circle" was previously featured on bands debut album, Post Traumatic Stress, released in 2010, and "Stranglehold" is the marvelous title track from their before mentioned second album. Still both tracks are wearing new suits by being newly produced and a bit reworked. The band also went through some line-up changes since we last time heard of them, the new bass guitarist is the Italian goth lady Switchblade Switch and the new drummer was Thomas The Cat, who sadly just some days after the release of this EP passed away. Both of new members and as well the guest guitarist Stephen Carey of The Eden House, This Burning Effigy and Adoration fame, who also produced the album, added kind of new life and vibrance to the new and both of the older tracks.
While the two older tracks are both some of the finest representatives of the sound that made Grooving In Green notable in the scene as the purveyors of the organic groove goth rock, the new tracks still don't differ that much from bands primal orientation to be truthful, but on the other hand there's present a little more of depth and a touch of melancholy, and believe me that's a nice addition which makes the sound of the band a bit more rich and luxuriant. Especially use of female vocals in "Some Kind Of Saviour" is a very nice element giving a new dimension and even more dynamics to the overall sound. The band more than anything continues with their higly energetic sound which is based on traditional gothic rock and recalls in mind the most vibrant elements of bands like The March Violets, The Mission, The Cult as well The Sisters Of Mercy and Fields Of The Nephilim, but everything is implemented with elements that borrow many things from punk rock and 80s hard rock groove, for example Kiss came into my mind many times when the most driving lines that escalate take place. Those dirty driving guitar lines and strong plus throbing bass lines, together with powerful drumming, yet very melodic rhythmic line and catchy vocals are perfectly melted together in the dark alternative groover "Escape Myself", while the mid-paced "Some Kind Of Saviour" presents a bit darker and gloomier side of the band.
Rebirth is a nice return for this originally British band, now an international act with a member from Italy, it comes with a strong a bit rough production, but still done well enough that every single instrument can be perfectly heard and enjoyed. Of course the core of the band is made by experienced guys who sharpened their skills before the formation of Grooving In Green in bands like Children On Stun and Solemn Novena and is nothing strange that the music they make has some similarities with their former bands. Hopefully the band will continue following this path, even though their recent tragic and sudden loss of one member could leave some scars. I can imagine that new dynamics in new tracks can make a new album, which I believe is in the making, more divergent, multidimensional and not that much linear. Still I believe that Grooving In Green are preferentially a live band and the character of their compositions is the right proof for that.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 7,5/10
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