build up thorugh years"
(9/10)|
build up thorugh years" |
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| Artist | Panchiko |
| Title | Deathmetal |
| Type | EP |
| Released | 18.06.2000 |
| Genre | Indie rock, indie pop, trip-hop |
| Style | Lofi |
| My rating | (9/10) |
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Tracklist:
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Credits:
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Certainly one of the most curious albums ever recorded. What a backstory! I won't be retelling it here, since it's already been done like a 999999 times on The Internet and literally anybody would do a better job at it than me, so if you're not familiar with it, just check on wikipedia or on YouTube.
It kinda makes sense that this record in particular would become a case of unidentified media. As some guys on 4chan said, all that disc-rot stuff really feels intentional on these songs. Come on, songs like the title track - "Deathmetal" sound so lofi and ethereal, that they go especially well with all that distortion and deterioration effects.
One thing that I rarely see talked about in regards to the album is it's influences. It's obviously a lot of Radiohead in there, but I ADORE how much trip-hop and electronica we can hear there. It cuts through the guitar and vocals so well. I don't know many bands that do music in that style apart from Archive and maybe Boards of Canada on their "Campfire Headphase" album. This rock/trip-hop blend seems like such an obvious style to play in, that I'm very confused on a fact that it's that unpopular.
The seminal song, "Deathmetal" is a certified hood classic internet-core banger. It's just awesome. I love everything about it. The sample fits perfectly. The vocal performance here is stunning. I know it sounds funny but this fragile, shallow tenor voice is a perfect fit for such style and really is all a niche indie band needs. I definitely regard this as one of the best songs to ever be written. It has this certain immaculate quality to it that is especially rare in mainstream music.
Going back to the album's influences for a minute: it also features some prominent shoegaze touches that shine through especially on "Stabilisers for Big Boys" song. I don't like it that much even tho it's a cool track, but it seems like such a banger to hear live. I'm really jelous that I probably won't ever see them as I live in eastern europe - it seems like the last place they would ever tour.
"Laputa" is a great sing-along track, that has to be another live highlight. I like how anthemic it sounds. Crazy that this for lost for almost 2 decades! It seems so fresh and relevant even today. The piano chords and all the melodies are professional and elegant while being very not-so-obvious at the same time! I always appreciate when artists reach for something more complicated harmonically than simple "campfire chords".
"The Eyes of Ibad" is the record's low point in my opinion, even tho it's a creative and well crafted tune. I'm just not a fan of how long and drawn out it feels, even tho it's only 7 minutes and I'm a fan of long song! I have no problem of a 40min long piece literally called "Behemoth" that has a 15min drone section in the middle (a Godspeed You! Black Emperor's song), but "Eyes of Ibad" sometimes just bores me. It easily could've been better, if only they added more variation and instrumental touches to spice it up. The rhytmic section is really nice there tho!
I like the next one a lot. "CUT" was THE SHIT for me during my highschool years. I like all the electronic passages and samples that were woven into the beautiful melodies of vocals and driving drumming pattern. Awesome song that I come back to pretty often.
The first of the bonus tracks, "Sodium Chloride" could be so far my greatest musical discovery of the autumn 2025. It reminds me a lot of "Stupid Dream" stuff from the band Porcupine Tree. Especially of an unrealeased song from the sessions of this album called "I Fail". It's vibe is also very similar to Radiohead's "The Bends". Omg I love this song so much recently aghhh! I love how the drums break into the verse with this amazingly satisfying fill. It interwoves perfectly into the strums of guitar and Owain's vulnerable vocals. Absolute cinema.
I always forget "Kicking Cars" exists for some reason... It's a fine song! I especially like the live version from "Live in Nottingham" record. It's one of the most quintesential Panchiko songs. It has it all: touching, emotional tenor vocals, weird and creative melodies and chord progressions, loud and blocky drumming pattern... I love their style so much!!!
Them putting the "Rot" versions as bonuses in the official release is like a greatest thing ever. It's like a homage to it's legacy as the craziest lost media pull ever. And to think that this was just a random disc-rotted CD a 4channer found on some 2nd hand market... Think about how much wonderful music exists there somewhere and nobody is even aware of it! As I said, this album definitely features one of the best music you'll ever hear. It's a highlight of what modern music has to offer.