SWITCH OPENS

'Switch Opens' is the self-titled debut album of the newly branded Swedish band Fingerspitzengefühl, apparently releasing two albums under this previous moniker before changing names to the less phonetically challenging Switch Opens. As I sit there wondering if the name was lifted from the Soundgarden song bearing this title, second track 'Pyramids' kicks in with its dirty bass-heavy guitar driven sounds and grunge vibe, so I guess the influence extends beyond just the band's new name. However, this is only a minor part of Switch Opens' music. Opening song 'Express Death' is a much more up tempo affair that skilfully fuses groove metal with elements of punk aggression, psychedelia, and downright dirty fucked up mosh 'n' roll...okay that's the first 4 minutes, then the remainder of the song's seven minute playing time is occupied by musical dissonance and progressive time signatures. Bassist/vocalist Jesper Skarin delivers each lyric with sheer passion in a range of styles as disparate as the music - Devin Townsend style growling ('Paper Walls'), crust punk barks ('Lucky Me, Lucky You'), and a very amenable clean voice ('Super Globe of Pain'). The press release accompanying this promo states that "every song has its own, clear identity" and I certainly wouldn't disagree, although the series of compositions on offer, which vary between dirty, punk-edged metal, grunge, psychedelic stoner, and heavy prog-rock, are bound together by an absorbing finesse that is all too often lacking in other works that strive for so much diversity. Overloaded with original, heavy, catchy riffs that draw you into its infectious essence, 'Switch Opens' is an unpredictable ride from start to finish with twists and turns that will leave you breathless and wanting to hit the play button again straight after the album's finished. I've never particularly been a fan of labelling music (after all, there are just two genres, right?....music you like and music you don't), and I pity the poor journalists who do feel the perpetual need to classify everything they hear. This one will fuck 'em up good and proper! Take a look at the cover art - this is precisely what your brain will feel like upon digesting Switch Opens' music. Astonishing stuff. Go stimulate you mind right now.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

GMR Music

Album

SWITCH OPENS

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

51:41

RELEASE DATE:

19th Oct 2009

TRACK LISTING

1) Express Death
2) Pyramids
3) Paper Walls
4) He Dives Down
5) Terra Incognita
6) Lucky Me, Lucky You
7) Super Globe of Pain
8) The Electric Hour

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Sweden

"Overloaded with original, heavy, catchy riffs that draw you into its infectious essence, 'Switch Opens' is an unpredictable ride from start to finish with twists and turns that will leave you breathless..."