How often do you hear or see bands citing influences such as The Cure, Joy Division, Bauhaus, and Sisters of Mercy? A lot. How many of these bands actually succeed in capturing the same feeling, and dark vibe as any of those mentioned? Not many at all. Of course there are exceptions; Ceremony’s recent transformation, New Orleans newcomers Heat Dust, and Kyle Kimball of Nothing’s other band, Night Sins, are all doing a sterling job at revitalising that late 70’s/early 80’s new wave sound. Now, after several years in the shadows, it is time for Welsh post-punk band, Chain of Flowers, to come into full bloom – joining the cream of the crop with their long awaited debut LP.
Even though this self-titled LP is their debut, they are far from a new band. Having already had several limited edition releases, and numerous shows around the UK, they have been steadily building a cult following. Meaning that from those in the know, anticipation has been riding high for a full-length release. Recorded over a four day period of isolation in the Welsh valleys, and mixed by Ben Greenberg (The Men, Uniform) in New York, Chain of Flowers debut has been more than worth the wait.
On the album’s opener ‘Nail Me To Your Cross’, you can hear where Chain of Flowers have been influenced, and they wear it proudly on their sleeve. The raw guitar sound is reminiscent of The Cure’s early output, with Joshua Smith’s reverb-laced vocals calling to mind a young Ian Curtis. Lead single ‘Crisis’ exudes the spirit of ’78, with a repetitive beat sitting underneath haunting melodies. It truly captures the Zeitgeist of the era in which the bands sound had spawned. While it also features a more crisp production than we have previously heard, it also captures the intensity of the bands live show. Which, if you have been witness to it, is both caustic and cathartic in equal measure – something that needed to be carried across to this album.
Rather than just sound like carbon copy of some of the UK’s most iconic bands, the urgency that Chain of Flowers apply to their music is what makes their debut even more invigorating. After appearing on their Arches Session 7” last year, the studio version of ‘Deaths Got A Hold On Me’ sounds bigger, and far more rounded than before. The driving rhythm of ‘Bury My Love (Beyond The Sun)’ that collapses into a haze of noise at its cadence, shows how Chain of Flowers have refined their sound. They also make a bold statement by ending the album with the nine-minute opus ‘Drained’ – which carries a brooding atmosphere for its duration, before disappearing into the abyss. At only 8-tracks deep, this grand finale makes the whole experience last longer, and still leaves you wanting more.
This album is exactly what you expected Chain of Flowers debut LP to be. It is the result of a band that have taken the time to hone their sound and abilities, as opposed to rushing things. Not only is it an arresting album, but one in which you can fully immerse yourself, and will be remembered as a modern post-punk classic.
GLEN BUSHELL