Swirling through our ears due to their inclusion on the latest MEANS compilation, the fantastic ‘Monster of East Felton’ enlivens the senses with a very dead horse: an intoxicating smash and grab of the senses, this short Drum and Bass esque track, flirting with breakbeats to wet the most delicate of palates.
I love the name of this “band” if it is actually a band or just one Gentleman as his Bandcamp site would suggest. A brilliantly sinister Moriarty looking photo of the “Monster”, piercing blue eyes and distinguished beard he originates from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the strapline under his photo says “I am not a Monster”.
A monster he may not be but he is certainly genius in crafting together beats, samples and crashingly dramatic Drum and Bass. The short scary vocal sample is tinged with a Thrash Metal, Death Metal Sepultura sound. The track also has that feel that it could be spun in reverse, who remembers the Stone Roses brilliant reverse track “Don’t Stop” which is of course “Waterfall” backwards. “A Dead Horse” isn’t quite that elegant in its backwards sounding, more a real curse of evil which definitely isn’t a bad thing for this short little offering, it all works wonderfully well. Refreshingly aggressive, short and concise in its delivery it almost ends as quickly and punchy as it begins. Like all the great tracks it leaves you wanting to hear it again and again you definitely aren’t flogging a dead horse with this one.
A Dead Horse | Monster of East Felton (bandcamp.com)
Michael Conboy
MEANS 