REVIEW: No Anchor – self-titled 7″ + Real Pain Supernova

Brisbane's No Anchor are a unique finding amongst Australia's underground music scene. Firstly, they have two bassists. Secondly, they have no guitarist.

Over the years this trio has perfected a clanging, metallic sound thats part raging hardcore, part depressing sludge. It's like they've successfully combined the molten fury of early Converge, with the thick, fuzz-drenched sound of The Melvins, the darkness of Eyehategod, and the energetic, bass-focused style of Lightning Bolt to create an extremely unique and effective sound of their own.

The result is filthy, dirty, organic, metallic and heavy as fuck. It's the type of sound that tears the earth in two; the sound of tectonics plates grinding and groaning; the sound of a screeching emotional catharsis being torn from your chest. Above all it's raw and it's honest.

Both their latest self-titled 7" record and their full-length album 'Real Pain Supernova' have a beautifully organic recording sound that really captures the energy and dynamics of the band. Both recordings have a very roomy, stripped-back vibe that really allows the instruments plenty of room to breathe. The album actually sounds like the band would live - which is a surprisingly rare concept. At a time where far too many bands are beat-replacing, obsessively double-tracking and over-compressing like there's no tomorrow, this fact makes me very, very happy.

I've been running both No Anchor's self-titled 7" and their 2011 full-length 'Real Pain Supernova' pretty continuously over the last few weeks, and what I've decided is this:

No Anchor are one of my new favourite Australian bands. They've crafted an extremely unique and powerful sound, chosen a production that complements perfectly, and possess a real flair for experimentation that makes me really interested in seeing where these guys take their music in the future.

The new 7" record is cool, but it's too short and leaves me wanting more - a lot more. Then again, that's probably the point. Be sure to check out the new record when it drops -- and go download the incredible 'Real Pain Supernova' . This is an  awesome Australian band well worth supporting. These guys are easily my most exciting find from Australia's underground music scene for quite some time.

No Anchor's new 7" will be released on 17 March, 2012.