Review - The Huguenots - Discography

The Huguenots - Discography

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8 out of 10

Does the band name ring a bell? Perhaps it does, but probably not. Me neither. With an entire discography released on one CD from a band who’ve been defunct for 10 years (After having been signed to Hydrahead Records), and having included such members as Kurt Ballou (Converge), Aaron Stuart (Piebald), Dan Colby (The Explosion) and Matt Oates (Angels of Meth), I’m left wondering just what the hell it is I’m about to hear. The term ’Converge-lite’ has been more overused by music reviewers in the last decade than the disco drumbeat, but here it actually appears to be quite close to the mark, especially considering present company. Kurt’s obvious influence on the ’Converge sound’ becomes apparent here, and his trademark quirky yet caustic riffing is a major part of The Huguenots’ style. Matt’s vocals are more ’old school shouty hardcore’ than Jacob Bannon’s depraved barking, but Kurt certainly laid some deep foundations here with his fellow band members. This is more than just another run-of-the-mill discordant punk album; this is a historical release from a band that will hopefully come to gain the recognition they fully deserve. As frantic opener ’Postscript’ kicks off, I’m almost expecting to hear Jacob shriek his head off. But enough about Converge, this is four guys playing the kind of avant-garde yet punishing hardcore music that was undoubtedly a huge influence on many of today’s bands. Only one song here passes the four-minute mark, and seeing as this is the band’s entire discography, it’s clear that their intent was never to fuck about. Tracks like ’Sent It Airmail’ and ’10 Watt Bulb’ cascade in a whirlwind of instruments being punished to the max, while ’Trance Like’ and ’A Horde of Bees’ up the jazz factor while still retaining the frenetic adrenaline rush of scathing noise punk. ’Young Pretender’ (The post-four minute offender in question) showcases the band’s slightly more subtle side, yet proves to be nothing more than a brief respite from what will surely go down as an essential collection of songs from a band well ahead of their time. Listen: www.myspace.com/thehuguenots

Tracklist:
1. Postscript 2. Jefferson High 3. Bent Wreck 4. Sent It Airmail 5. Patient Zero 6. A Kind of Blue Covered the Entire City 7. Yong Pretender 8. 10 Watt Bulb 9. Trance Like 10. A Horde of Bees 11. Postscript 12. A Horde of Bees 13. Sent It Airmail 14. 10 Watt Bulb 15. Patient Zero 16. Misanthropic Surgery