Review: Drama Of The Spheres – ‘A Kafka Tale…’

DRAMA OF THE SPHERES
‘A Kafka Tale…’
MANIC DEPRESSION RECORDS

Drama Of The Spheres have been plugging away at their arty post-punk sound for a long time now and it is a shame they’re not a more common name considering their penchant for uniting conceptual layering and gritty music. Influenced by the likes of The Virgin Prunes as well as Trent Reznor and releasing an album based around Franz Kafka’s ‘In the Penal Colony’ may be a combination destined to go over a few people’s heads, but nevertheless ‘A Kafka Tale…’ is a very engaging album.

The album’s atmosphere is disjointed and twisted with shattering guitars married to danceable synth melodies and toe-tapping rhythms combined with jarring piano throughout. It becomes obvious very early on that each song is very different but no less compelling.
The songs ‘D2S2PZA’, ‘S2L2N2A’ and ‘C2V2I5F’ really push the boundaries of what the band are capable in terms of song structure with each one being vastly difference in style and approach, yet unified in their willingness to put the listener on the back foot. The more traditional, but nonetheless intriguing, songs such as ‘I2A2U1K’, ‘P2T2H3A’, ‘I2O2E8A’ and ‘E2S3TOE’ are typically driven by a great hook and embellished with lighter helpings of the more experimental aspects of the bands sound. Also the use of multiple vocalists and vocal styles throughout does a lot to further change the dynamics of these songs, giving the album more depth and longevity.

The band’s experimental edge doesn’t automatically mean they have to opt for rough and ready production. In fact the mix is strong and balanced throughout and the overall sound is quite clean which only further emphasises the gritty undercurrent of the band’s style. This album is full of brave moves and frequently sidesteps the listener’s expectations to create a very challenging, but ultimately rewarding offering.

[4/5]

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