The Quad Squad
I met these guys at the time of Arise at an in-store signing, lost track of the music scene for quite a while due to life’s meanderings, and now to hear them again, with a new outlook and new singer, it’s breath-taking actually. They are a classic example of a band that have been overlooked once the line up changed. Don’t do that my friends, you will miss out on something quite special. Long term band members Andreas Kisser and Paulo Jnr. come forth bearing an abundance of intrigue and excitement into the historical and philosophical ideas, garnering the power of the quadrivium of the liberal arts, which are arithmetic ( my maths is rubbish), music( oh yeah!),geometry(square peg round hole) and astronomy ( wish upon a star…), we can pretend we know what we are talking about. However, this band of intellectuals have sussed us out and are about to give us a lesson we won’t forget.
Derrick Green is in charge of the monster vocals, making good use of his tonsils and the magnetism that comes with them, like thrashing around madly in a force field. Once you are in, the electricity and supercharge will frazzle your brains.
First up it’s ‘Isolation’ a word that is very familiar to us all right now. We have been encouraged to remain indoors to decrease the spread of the Covid 19 virus. How timely that quality music like this is available to keep us imbibed and entertained. The overall vibe is one of ‘to the hilt, full tilt’ as we roar and rumble to the mighty drums and frets that appear on this journey. Eloy Casagrande the drummer, is a ‘one to watch’ character, full of energy, antagonism and purveyor of the most decadent tribal drumbeats known to man.
‘Means to An End’ is the cute schoolkid with a mean streak, a sticky, sweet lollipop that cuts like razor wire on your tongue. A wander down memory lane for me as I get a ‘Ratamahatta’ feel in ‘Capital Enslavement’ a primitive and primal urge to shake your core. The GOAT legend , Muhammad Ali, is recognised in a tribute song which immortalises his legacy, his fight, his will and the gratitude that all the outsiders feel that he has crossed the boundary and paved the way for us all. The ‘Raging Void’ offers scintillating frets at 1.45 with a chant worthy chorus and a chant worthy riff. In ‘Guardians Of Earth, we have roar of the year at 2.49 and the nimble fingers of Andreas design the sublime riffery at 3,22, leading into the mesmerising instrumental ‘The Pentagram’, sometimes there is no need for words my friends. A word to the wise in ‘Autem’ sees the wisdom and thoughtful ‘ the things you did you can’t rewind’ reminding us that we all need to be a little careful. The title track exudes culture, artistry and ambience and involves quite classy and intricate guitars, before a subtle kick to the mid-section sees us trapped from all sides in ‘Agony Of Defeat’. We have a guest appearance to finish on the portentous ‘ Fear, Pain, Chaos, Suffering’ as Emmily Barreto( Far From Alaska) cries out that the ‘irreversible suffering will never be undone’. It is a fitting end to a relevant and appropriate record, a much -needed friend and ally in these trying times.
Quadra – it’s the number of the beast.