Written by Me and CC of 2STEPSFORWARD4STEPSBACKIt takes a force of 2 to review an album as mental as this. We are of course talking about 'Hysterics', the debut album from Sheffield based Rolo Tomassi. It's hard to believe their widely recognised self-titled EP was released two years ago, as the band themselves are still pretty young. Now with their first full length, they can really show what they're made of - and they haven't disappointed. Previous releases were on up and coming label Holy Roar, home to the likes of Gallows, Dananananaykroyd and the now defunct I Was A Cub Scout. But this was released on Hassle, where Rolo Tomassi truly are the cat among the pigeons. And the pigeons are getting destroyed.
The bloodbath begins deceptively with the politely titled "Oh, Hello Ghost'. Eerie synth noises lure you in, as singer Eva Spence begins to haunt with a soft lullaby. But when the bassline joins her, you know that something terrifying is coming. It breaks open 1 and a half minutes in, with heavy guitars and crashing drums. Schoolyard chants come in, with help from brother James Spence. Then with 30 seconds left, Eva's demonic growls make their first appearance with "When you come to point your finger you'll find three are pointing back". Yes, we had to check to booklet. It's an epic opener. A highlight for both us has to be 'Abraxas', coming on like a full horror movie, in just 2 minutes 20. Orchestral jabs greet the breakdown as furious synth and a crash cymbal completely alter the tempo. It's amazing to hear, and makes you wonder how they ever wrote it.
'An Apology To The Universe' and 'Everything Went Grey' are instrumental numbers, which Rolo Tomassi do with ease. They supply breathers between Spence's onslaught, and show that the band are much more than a one trick pony. 'Macabre Charade' actually has boy/girl harmonies between the siblings that builds up into the sounds of static-electricity. The album climaxes with 'Fantasia'; probably the most all-out closer either of us has heard this year. Starting with melancholic piano, the song twists and turns through its 14 minutes like an angry sea serpent. It reaches its stride with Eva apparently arguing with herself. A young girl pleading for the other to "calm down" with a furious beast screaming back"I'M CALMED DOWN". Is she schizophrenic, possessed, or a seriously multi-talented frontwoman with something to prove?
Although 'Hysterics' isn't to everyone's taste, it's appealing to more people than any other hardcore record of the moment. The reason for this is simple; They're young, talented, and they're doing something drastically different. These 2 reviewers have very different tastes, and it takes something special to unite our praise. This has done it.
Rolo Tomassi - Abraxas
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