Attachments is the debut album of post-hardcore
quartet Trials Of Early Man, made up of musicians who’ve all been in the
DIY hardcore/punk game long enough to be deservedly described as
veterans. The band itself boasts members from Caretaker, Action &
Action,
Circusact, The Correct Arc and The Good Wife and with such varied areas
of expertise you could be forgiven for not knowing what to expect from
such a hybrid. What
you actually get from this Frankenstein’s monster of a band however is
some brilliantly focused and hook laden post hardcore. The sort of post
hardcore that takes much of its inspiration from the more left field
punk pioneers like Fugazi and Hot Snakes, without seeming derivative.
The guitar work throughout the album sways from the frantic to the
serene at the drop of the hat, revealing intricate layers of melody that
suggest a touch of nineties emo is also hidden somewhere in the bands
fabric. The vocals and rhythm section are just as fluid in their
approach to the bands whimsical tempo shifts, working just as well when
things slow down. It is these constant fluctuations in pace that make
the whole album such an engrossing listen from start to finish. In parts
the album is very reminiscent of bands like Spy Versus Spy or even
Million Dead, especially when it comes to the band’s ear for a catchy
harmony. In the end what you get with Attachments is something new,
exciting and vital in its energy that simultaneously feels instantly
familiar. Highlights come thick and fast so it seems almost redundant to
pick just one, that being said Pierced With Arrows chaos is
particularly infectious.
Overall Attachments is a brilliant debut
that harks back to the golden years of post-hardcore whilst bringing
plenty originality to the table. Catchy in the extreme, heavy but easily
accessible. A true triumph. Available to stream through all the usual
avenues or purchasable as a download direct from the band I highly
recommend you give it a go.
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