Final Thunder: A Spider Will Come To Eat Your Flesh

Album Evaluation

Final Thunder

A Spider Will Come To Eat Your Flesh

Straightforward Listening Data CIC (with help from Arts Council England, Pyramid Arts and Leeds Impressed).

DL / CD / LP 

Out 10 Could 2024

Final Thunder are the Leeds learning-disabled / neuro-divergent band who made the information lately when their funding was lower.  That is their second album collaborating with producer/ musician James Mabbett (Napoleon IIIrd).  ‘The Fall meets Hawkwind’ description nonetheless matches however there may be a lot extra to this band and it’s an ideal punk/experimental album in its personal proper, says Ged Babey.

This isn’t a novelty report.

That is only a nice album full cease. Among the finest of the 12 months.

Behind the scenes at Louder Than Conflict I’ve been preventing for it to be the coveted ‘Album of The Week’ solely to be over-ruled by dictatorial middle-management as supposedly Massive Particular and Arab Strap are deemed extra essential and of wider-interest to our hipster readership. I threatened to resign, hinted at blackmail, intimated violence, the lot, however there was no swaying them….

If this isn’t essentially the most speedy, thrilling and unique 2020’s slice of dance-punk since ‘Jobseeker’  and ‘We Stay Right here’  I don’t know what’s….

Yeah, it’s prefer it’s sung in a surreal type of Nadsat or Esperanto with a rap-like braggadocio and that bass-line could be very like Psychedelic Furs debut single ‘We Love You’, however it’s bought such an ideal offbeat upbeat really feel to it.  It’s not a phrase I take advantage of – however I consider it’s what is named ‘a banger’.

And the remainder of the album is simply nearly as good…

So, anyway, with out permission I’ve invented a brand new class  -‘Album of The Month’ – simply in order that Final Thunder can get the popularity they rightfully deserve.

A Spider Will Come To Eat Your Flesh is an album that’s simply irresistible and distinctive – but has a familiarity and immediacy.

I  guess that you simply do have to love English Experimental Eccentricity although, and that fabulous conflict of repetition and zigzag-ing, stuttering unpredictability and a charismatic, untutored vocalist as ring-master.

Overlook the very fact they’re ‘Particular Wants’ adults – that is an off-the-wall, post-punk, punk as experimental, space-rock album.  Easy and pure, humorous and free-wheeling. No verse/refrain construction, it’s six jam classes skilfully condensed into songs.

Final Thunder are sometimes in comparison with The Fall – because of the repetition and hectoring / indecipherable / Northern vocal. There’s a Krautrock vibe too and a space-rock really feel.  Sensible punk-rock play-in-a-day basslines. A touch of Sleaford Mods twitch. It’s a really English, very pure type of experimental – from untutored punk to the free-form self-expression of th’ Religion Healers, PIL, even IDLES. The press launch describes the music as sounding like ‘ an FM radio caught someplace between afrobeat and musique concrète’.  However too me, it’s only a incredible album that as a fan of The Fall, Sleaford Mods, Swell Maps and PIL is a return to unpretentious, satisfying experimentation you’ll be able to dance to – and that brings a smile to your face.

‘CUCUMBER!’

Within the video for ‘I’ve Bought No Bees In Your Home’,  you’ll see that vocalist Matthew Watson vaguely resembles Ivor Cutler and the synth-sonics participant John Densley appears to decorate in the same technique to Lee Scratch Perry. This simply makes Final Thunder the good band on the earth.  And ‘Bees’ will not be even the very best observe on the album….

I requested James Mabbett if he had a transcript of the lyrics. I used to be very happy when he despatched me them. They embody: fly like a fowl / make no sound, and  I’ll not compromise you / I’ll compromise them /Inform me you’re sure of your fascinations  in addition to a random shout of  Again to the longer term!  The poetry and vocabulary is stunning maybe and proves that there’s extra to the ‘stream of consciousness’ vocal than you would possibly assume.

Because of TV programmes like Chris Packhams Inside Our Autistic Minds  and The Meeting – with Michael Sheen there’s a rising consciousness of how folks with Studying Difficulties/complicated wants are all very completely different and canopy a large spectrum. And, that they embody people who find themselves very beautiful, humorous and charismatic, with various levels of articulacy. One factor a lot of them appear to share is a love of music.

Vocalist Matthew Watson who as frontman, like all group, turns into the main target – and he’s fairly a personality. There’s a nice mini-Doc video about him.  His gentleness is at odds with the harshness of his vocals.

The observe referred to as 100 {Dollars} is particularly, a deeply romantic and delicate lyric regardless of the style by which it’s delivered.

I modify in you
A dream come true
I by no means change your life
For a second or two
I’ve chosen you
To be my girlfriend
I’ve chosen you
With My coronary heart
Carry up your coronary heart

Come on over
Speak about you
Speak about me
Come on over
Make me discover me

However, Final Thunder are a band and a crew and everybody performs an important half.  Kenneth Stainburns bass enjoying is straightforward however massively efficient.  Drummer Scott Anderson has a pure, untutored manner with a beat.

It’s the way in which the songs rumble alongside however construct, velocity up and develop into extra sonically chaotic as they go alongside is what appeals. Alex Sykes gives melodic hooks and John Densley unleashes cacophonic synth-noises from Outer House which I swear at one level sound like saxophones on the Stooges Funhouse doing battle with the Dying Star.

James Heselwood, the one band member who isn’t studying disabled  is credited with – guitar and manufacturing – however follows relatively than leads and really subtly enhances the sound. That mentioned his Keith Levene-style enjoying on Bees is incredible.

James Mabbett mentioned: “This new album is an actual development, it was unbelievable to get again into the studio once more after the pandemic and report the band stay. These tracks are drawn from improvisations and are splendidly uncooked, they actually seize an thrilling band, a band like no different!”.

The ultimate observe, Moon, OK is a 15 minute sci-fi instrumental epic which is an utter delight because it’s like a obligatory come-down from the marginally manic different songs. It’s how the Orb ought to sound had they not fallen asleep on the job a long time again. Genuinely hypnotic you’ll be able to nearly levitate to it in case you actually attempt.

Matthew Watson does emerge as Final Thunders figurehead due to his vocal model and improvised lyrics.  One of many themes that emerges does appear to be wildlife: birds, bats, monkeys, spiders, bees and even a crocodile all make appearances.  Spiders and bees representing his fears.  Two songs point out cash and two embody references to ‘love’ – however it’s his informal asides, addressing both the band, an imaginary viewers or characters in his head that give the songs their character.  All of you! ‘What’s happening right here?  Bing!  C’mon Burgers.  All people! 

It has at all times aggravated me when idle, arty-farty enterprise varieties name themselves ‘creatives’ -when mainly they’re promoting a product.

Final Thunder are true creatives. Unhindered by guidelines, expectations, style, traits, commerce and bull.  They’re nice artists;  enabled and empowered by Mabbett, Heselwood and Pyramid Arts – whom deserve our thanks from bringing them collectively and releasing this fabulous album.

Album of the week, album of the month and fairly presumably my favorite album of the 12 months.

Hearken to the entire album and purchase from Bandcamp

Observe on Fb and Instagram

All phrases Ged Babey

Band Art work – Scott Anderson