Electro Quarterstaff – Gretzky
Willowtip Records – WT-048 – October 24th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
This year has been another good one for Willowtip Records – in the areas of grind (
Phobia) and technical death metal (
Dim Mak,
Gorod,
Sulaco), specifically – and we’ve yet to hear the much-anticipated
United in Regret from the critically acclaimed
Arsis, which is slated for release on November 12th. For now, though, perhaps Canadian unit
Electro Quarterstaff will be able to tide you over with their intriguing blend of instrumental music that brushes against grind, sludge, and others via “triple-axe” attack.
One of the main drawbacks is that – from the beginning of “Neckwrecker” and on –
Gretzky seems a tad too under-produced, which makes it even more difficult to distinguish between the respective guitar parts. Still, the group’s ostensible affinity for sludge and grind arguably rationalizes the lack of crystal-clear production values. Aside from the magnificent, surrealist artwork and humorous album/song titles (“Charmony,” “The Right to Arm Bears,” “Something Awry in the Hetfield of Dreams”),
Electro Quarterstaff aren’t really a step above most instrumental bands. However, the melodies that are strewn throughout the follow-up to
Swayze are the most interesting, and as a result, the most gratifying aspect of this full-length. The 8-bit leanings in “Charmony” shouldn’t be missed, nor the soundclip-cum-grind of “The Right to Arm Bears.” There’s even some
Mastodon-type riffing floating around on
Gretzky.
Overall,
Electro Quarterstaff are far from the commonplace – a heavy, instrumental four-piece that houses a guitar trio and provides respite from the usual Willowtip entry. I wouldn’t call it riveting, but for the price, I’d say it’s a good deal. The label does have superior records in its discography, though.
7/10
UM’s Review Rating Scale
Official Electro Quarterstaff Website
Official Willowtip Records Website
