Castrovalva - You’re Not In Hell, You’re In Purgatory My Friend

You should have some idea of what to expect from Castrovalva; the band’s name is taken from an M.C. Escher painting. But, in case you didn’t, opener ‘Best Friends Go To Purgatory’ will quickly tell you. The creepy intro gives way to a mess of noise, forcing you to sit up straight and pay immediate attention. Like a heavier Mars Volta, Castrovalva are a band who need to be worked out to be enjoyed. The build-up over the repeated lyric “best friends they come and go” gives way seamlessly to the next track.

‘You’re Not In Hell, You’re In Purgatory My Friend’ is a hyperactive amalgamation of everything from rock to hip hop, and it works well. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea - hell, it’s not even a cup of tea so much as a shot of Jäger through your eyeball - but if it is, you’ll love it. Just listen to the ‘wub wub wub’ in free download ‘Donut’. Despite the frantic switches between styles, the album is an unrelenting attack on your earholes.

If you can get past the instrumentation, you’ll find the lyrics aren’t exactly sub-par either. Some of the subjects are even a little bit touching (“my head feels tired when I’m thinking of you”) but you won’t be able to catch your breath to think about them until the noise is gone. Closer ‘A Vulture’s Eyes’ is actually quieter, about as acoustic as ‘noise hop’ could be, for the first two minutes. But, instead of letting the album fade away, this Leeds gang bring in dirty, grinding guitars. This is an untameable creature, and should you dare to try, you’ll have your face ripped off. In a good way.