EAT THE FRIEK

Glasgow based three piece Eat The Friek, originating from Aberdeen the band have been unstoppable roll since the release of their EP 'Heart of the Snail' in 2019.  Incessantly gigging around Scotland before being halted Covid-19, the band found themselves playing alonside bands such as John (Times Two), The Psychotic Monks and The Wood Buring Savages. Just before lockdown the band released their single 'Muttrip' which coincided with their sold-out release show at Henry's Cellar Bar in Edinburgh.  The guys have kept themselves busy over 2020 with the recording of their latest EP 'Ploom' and are set to re-emerge from the distant of the pandemic with more energy than before.

'Ploom' takes you on a journey down raw, experimental, garage psych rock.  It is 22 minutes of pure rock that has to be played at full volume to experience it in full effect.  'Dust' sets the EP off with an atmospheric tone of shimmering guitar melodies and some intense gritty rock guitar moments.  This is a track that takes you down a variety of roads, it firstly allows you to settle in with a distant guitar melody oozing beachy psychedelic tones, quickly moving from that beach vibe into the gritty grungy rock.  A muddy bass line then fills your ears as it soon becomes the backbone of the track, the guitars become thicker and heavier as the tempo picks up into an out and out grunge sound.  The tempo changes within the track from those heavy guitar laden moments to the atmospheric moments will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.  The track is driven mostly by the instrumentation with vocals present at points, though for a track of this density not having that consistent vocal line works as it would make the over all track too muddled especially since there is a lot happening within the low ends. 

'Hot Slop Serpent Soup' is the next track and now if the title doesn't catch your attention, then the opening bass line groove will certainly grab it with it's muddy style and energy it is a rhythm meant for bopping.  Sticking to those low end tones really bring out the grit and grunge style, the track follows the bass line with the drums holding back until the chorus where they make their impact felt, as the track swells into a wall of sound from the groovy guitar melodies as the band sing "Hot Slop Serpent Soup" guaranteed to get stuck in your head, and then falling away as it moves back into the bass line groove for the verse.  There is a sense of cool and calm on the verses and then the surge of energy at the choruses pushing out the lively side to the track.  A definite mosh pit type of song.  

'Where Noah Goes' is not as heavy as the previous tracks, yes the grungy bass lines and guitar melodies are still present, but this track isn't as densely packed.  The bass line sits more on the higher frequencies for this one which gives room for the electric guitars to really find the rhythm and giving the track that hard garage rock style.  The vocals are laden with distortion, with a ferocious guitar riff that really is the dominant force of the track.  

'Lead' begins calmly with a guitar riff and a swing like drum rhythm that builds up an anticipation almost in a deliberate style that leaves you sitting on the edge, wanting the beat to kick in.  You aren't left waiting long as it flys into the heavy grunge style of the thick guitars and a driving rhythm that we have been hearing all through the EP.  The movements between the pace and style contrast each other so perfectly and it just works.  There isn't much in the vocals again with this one, now and then vocals come through but they aren't where you focus stays.  The build and anticipation that you feel throughout, they know you want to dance and you are waiting for that moment and they work that in well to heighten those feelings.  This is a track that will get the crowd going, 

'And Eye Float Bye' is the final track on the EP and this one brings 7 minutes of organised chaos.  Taking it back to a similar vibe to 'Hot Slop Serpent Soup' with the bass and rhythm guitar groove, you just know it's going to be a track packed with so much energy.  The melodic moments heard from the guitars bring out the psychedelic shimmer as they dance over the thick groove and steering the track smoothly into the heavier instrumentation.  The vocals are heard more on this track, the talk style vocals providing the edge and the track climaxes to a whacky experimental arrangement of sounds, vocals and a tempo that ends the song in a haunting tone and you just can't help but put it back in repeat to experience it all over again. 

Their raw and unique approach to their sound in this EP shows that these guys are a band that do not want to be pinned to a specific structure and their unpredictability with in their sound is was draws you in.  With each song you have a slight idea of what the track is going to sound like, but these guys enjoy throwing in some unusual moments to catch you off guard. Their experimental edge to their garage style is where their recognisable signature sound sits.

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