DIE SO FLUID

Well, here's a blast from the past. I remember supporting Die So Fluid in their early days towards the end of 2001 in a melodic thrash band with whom I used to play. Nearly nine years ago...how time flies! 2010 sees the London based trio release third studio album, 'The World Is Too Big For One Lifetime', and with the same lineup intact as their inception. Far from prolific in their recorded output, 2001's EP 'Operation Hypocrite' was followed three years later by debut album 'Spawn of Dysfunction' and then sophomore full length 'Not Everybody Gets a Happy Ending' in 2008. I also seem to recall frontwoman Grog had a stint in Kelly Osbourne's band around 2002-2003 sort of time, temporarily switching the small club venues in which she was used to performing for arenas and stadiums. Selling out, a nice little earner, or both? You decide but, whatever the case, it's refreshing to see Die So Fluid still going strong, and this latest release on DR2 Records is a fine example of how to blend retro and modern influences into an overall sound that is fairly original, and one that successfully fuses melodically catchy hooklines with hard-edged rock/metal underpinnings. As the album unfolds it meanders around a darkly menacing core, introducing various stylistic twists and turns into the mix so we have the up tempo stoner groove of 'Hearts Are Hollow', the punk overtones to 'How Vampires Kiss', the post-grunge vibe of 'If Wishes Were Bullets', and the heavy groove and quasi-symphonic bombast of opener 'Figurine' to name but a few. Reassuringly, it all flows so well too with a very natural feel to proceedings as Drew Richards demonstrates his wide repertoire on guitar, Al Fletcher keeps matters interesting on drums with an array of beats beyond the stereotypical generic constraints you would usually find on such music, while Grog herself provides some skilful bass playing and exercises an astonishingly wide range of vocals. Apart from her powerful rock/metal/punk singing, check out the smooth and powerful bluesy-jazz tones to her voice on 'Themis' and the album's piano centric hidden track which is a little reminiscent of Silje Wergeland-era The Gathering. With 'The World Is Too Big For One Lifetime', an aurally stimulating experience throughout, Die So Fluid are perhaps finally set to hit the big time. Fantastic stuff.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

DR2 Records

Album

THE WORLD IS TOO BIG FOR ONE LIFETIME

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

62:08

RELEASE DATE:

7th June 2010

TRACK LISTING

1) Figurine
2) Mercury
3) Storm
4) The World Is Too Big For One Lifetime
5) Hearts Are Hollow
6) Raven
7) Themis
8) How Vampires Kiss
9) If Wishes Were Bullets
10) What A Heart Is For
11) Sound In Colour

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"With 'The World Is Too Big For One Lifetime', an aurally stimulating experience throughout, Die So Fluid are perhaps finally set to hit the big time."