As fans of Cave In, Mastodon and Isis well know, Pyschedelia can be incorporated into the hardcore and metal genres, opening up whole new creative vistas in the process. Poney, an outfit hailing from Wisconsin, have taken up from where Cave In left off with ‘Perfect Pitch Black’ on this single release (originally released on cassette in August 2012 and then reissued on stunning marbled red vinyl in October) for two songs that veer between the crushing might of seething hardcore and the world music based rhythms and sonic exploration of vintage psychedelic music such as the Grateful Dead. The result is inspiring, and the vinyl format seems a perfectly suited medium for the band’s earthy, analogue sound.
Side A features ‘Octavious’, a furious aural assault that not only takes great pleasure in assailing its audience with huge, juddering riffs but which also knows when to hold back, allowing the quasi-eastern rhythms to take over, drawing the listener in a wholly new and unexpected direction before bringing them back to the here and now with a grand slam finale that snarls and claws with hitherto unseen levels of fury. The dichotomy between the two genres is perfectly explored by the band whose musical talent is such that they drift seamlessly from white hot riffs and thunderous percussion to subtle, almost ambient passages – if this is a hint as to their album’s direction then it is liable to a grand affair indeed. The B side, the aptly titled ‘melt trip’, emphasises the psychedelic elements for a song that bends and twists around the listeners perceptions, the idiosyncratic percussion and winding guitar riffs suddenly drifting into faster, heavier pastures just as you settle into the relaxed tempo. It brings to mind the brilliantly diverse work of Fugazi on ‘End Hits’, with the band’s ingrained sense of melody shining through even the most aggressive musical workouts.
In this age of digital releases and mass-printed anonymity, it is wonderful to see the level of care that has gone onto the packaging of this, the band’s first vinyl release. Aside from the beautiful marbled red vinyl upon which the single is pressed, the jacket is of heavy card which has been silk-screen printed by hand. The level of care and attention has paid off because it looks amazing and collectors will undoubtedly spend at least as much time admiring the packaging as they do levelling their building with the single itself. Overall this is intelligent, genuinely progressive (in the true sense of the word) music, that offers much for the repeat listener. If this standard of musicianship and song-writing is maintained then the album will be wonderful indeed.
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