Thank the unholy gods there are still bands and labels putting out music worth listening to. Just when I think all hope is lost, a band like Taint comes along with their newest release The Ruin of Nova Roma and gives me a reason to live again. I'm not just being melodramatic here; this is another release from Lee Dorian's (Cathedral, Napalm Death) label Rise Above (Electric Wizard, Grand Magus, Unearthly Trance, Witchcraft, etc.) that is truly a breath of fresh air.
So, if you've never heard this band, or aren't familiar with the related company listed above, then I'll help you out a bit. First, Taint has been around for a while (since 1994) in some incarnation or another. However, other than a massive slew of demos, compilation appearances, and split releases, the band hasn't really released a proper, powerful full-length statement until now. And they have done it exceedingly well.
Second, there are some comparisons to other bands flying around that don't seem fair to what Taint does. For instance, a lot of people have talked about their sound being similar to that of Mastodon. I think there are plenty of other bands that fall closer to Taint's sound than Mastodon. Whereas Mastodon is concerned with epic whale metal, Taint is more focused on a continuum between heavy, slightly punk based riffing, and more expansive, contemplative movements (though these two rarely occur in the same song). Think instead of Keelhaul meets Hot Water Music. Therefore, it's not surprising to learn that they've shared the stage with the former band as well as the likes of Clutch, Avail, Cathedral, and the Hidden Hand, because Taint shares elements of all these bands. Don't let me mislead you into thinking that Taint is one large hodgepodge copy of the aforementioned bands, because they certainly present their own thing here while still using various influences.
Specifically, the structure of the music contained in last year's Ruin of Nova Roma (this year in the U.S.) is varied well, and represents an emotive spectrum of sounds and ideas that most bands do not have the range to capture. The guitar sound encapsulates hard southern rock (even though they're from the UK) and the occasional twangy melody interspersed throughout some of the heaviest riffs you've heard on this side of the pond. This sound is perfectly complemented by the bass, diverse drumming, and gritty singing/screaming. It is clear that the three musicians in Taint have honed their craft and that they have done so as a collective.
Bottom Line: Taint has presented a musical offering that should be listened to and respected. They should be put in a context of similar bands, yet recognized as an entity that can stand alone. They are competent songwriters who lead the listener on an ever changing journey, and that when it's over, makes the listener want to immediately do it again. |
