jimmytheworm
That thing where you relate to the title track to a level of discomfort but then also it smokes so goddamn hard that you can tell people that's what's making your eyes water
Favorite track: Decent Sex.
Meltheads have been spreading wildfire on stages in Belgium and The Netherlands for a good while now, driven by the metronomically tight rhythm section of Tim Pensaert (bass) and Simon de Geus (drums), and fuelled by the razor-sharp and skilful guitar of Yunas de Proost. And then there’s frontman Sietse Willems, a man born to be on stage, like Morrison, Plant and Iggy Pop in one brutal and gnarly package. On 9 February they will be releasing the long-awaited debut album ‘Decent Sex’.
The album kicks off with the title track, linking Stooges to The Doors, and not beating about the bush: it’s going to be at breakneck speed, and it’s going to be loud. Just 30 minutes later, once the final notes of fever dream Melvin have died out, ‘Decent Sex’ leaves you knocked out on the floor after an insane trip along blaring post punk, visceral noise, sweeping psych and good old rock ‘n’ roll.
Part of the world is already turning its head, as renowned radio stations like KEXP and Radio X Manchester are picking up songs like I Want It All and Theodore, and fellow Antwerp based rock legends dEUS took them on tour, even as far as London’s Electric Brixton. Influential music magazines like Visions (DE), Clash and DIY (UK) dug up superlatives – and comparisons to The Birthday Party – for Theodore, a song about looking for (self) love, but also about the mess drug use can lead to. All not very uplifting, and most themes return in several songs, like the dark side to relationships and sex (White Lies, Decent Sex), or toxic masculinity (Vegan Leather Boots, Theodore again) and even politics (No One Is Innocent, Arbeit). Pretty heavy stuff, but wrapped in the highly infectious and piercing guitar rock Meltheads are serving, it’s going like a bomb.
Decent Sex is out on 9 February, followed by release shows in Belgium, The Netherlands and Paris. At the end of January, Meltheads will vigorously kick off the year with a show at the highly influential ESNS showcase festival, where the part of the world that is still in blissful ignorance will get to know the brute force of Meltheads.
credits
released February 9, 2024
Recorded at GAM Studios in Waimes, Belgium
Composed by Sietse Willems, Yunas De Proost, Tim Pensaert, Simon de Geus
Written by Sietse Willems
Produced by Bert Vliegen
Mastered by Jeffrey De Gans
A magnificent album from start to finish. The Belgians have found the right balance between the power of metal and the emotion of shoegaze.
We must say a few words about Stefanie, who manages to sing while hitting the drums, and what a performance!
Two tracks that best represent this new Brutus album, Dust for its in-your-face edge and Victoria for its possessed emotional side, are undoubtedly my track of the year.
A masterpiece that should be in everyone's ears.
Kevin-Secret Collector
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Unapologetically wiry, shouty post-punk so well done it might remind you why you liked this kind of music in the first place. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 10, 2024
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An acquired taste, yes. But one well worth acquiring. Grimmrobe