Attack Of The Stick Insects - Attack Of The Stick Insects

I received an email recently from Tommy Duffin of The Cosmic Dead asking if I'd be up for reviewing young Scottish quartet Attack of the Stick Insects' debut, which was released recently on Tommy's newly founded label Demon Corpse Records.

The band were thrown together by their teacher for a high school battle of the bands in January 2024 and comprise Lewis Berry - Lead Guitar/Vocals, Caden Stirrat - Rhythm Guitar, Cory Sneddon – Drums and Rocco O'Kane on Bass Guitar (Finlay Holmes played Bass Guitar on the record). Duffin also produced, mixed and mastered the album at his 16 Ohm studio so his overall heavy involvement suggests he's adopted something of a mentor role. As someone who's always keen to witness new emerging talent I'm happy to share my thoughts on what these lads have to offer.

'First Take' starts a little deceptively and I was concerned it was going to go down a 2000s Garage-Rock revival route, however my worries were soon allayed by the ferocious playing, a heady blend of The Stooges Proto-Punk power mixed in with the exuberance of OSees. A kickass opener. I'd been warned in the promo-notes that the band have some issues with South Lanarkshire Council as evidenced by 'Fuck The SLC'. If you can't rail against authority when you're young, when can you and the quartet deliver a searing indictment of them. Musically its The Beastie Boys during their initial Punk phase with a NYHC spirit, what with the Agnostic Front-esque gang choruses, outstanding. 'Moth Desert' slows the pace with a heavier Stoner/Space-Rock influence, think Hawkwind, GIÖBIA etc, while 'You Bark I Bite' demonstrates an extraordinary level of King Crimson technical know-how ('Lark's Tongue at Aspic' particulary).

'The Fine Art Of Conversation' is the album's longest track at nine minutes, starting off with some Pink Floyd style Psych before unleashing into a vicious Noise-Rock assault during the first minute of its running time. There's also an expansive, all-encompassing sound of say Samsara Blues Experiment, breathtaking and extraordinary in scope and ambition. 'Wikid', an instrumental, sees the Grungier hues of the Wipers and Nirvana (who the former inspired) being embraced and acts as an effective interlude, though an actual one is forthcoming. 'Attack of the Killer Insects' is intriguing, Miles Davis fusion era intermingled with a Metallica Thrash attack, back when that band had a smidgen of credibility and were leaders as opposed to followers. As promised 'Interlude' is exactly that, a 30 second segue-way piece which much like Ronseal does exactly what it says on the tin. 'Bezza Lane' is another epic at nearly nine minutes and interestingly the record's Bandcamp page lists Mogwai and Baby Woodrose under the 'you might also like' section. Thankfully they're not pretentious like the former, nor the retro 'cool' of the latter, think more Monster Magnet from around the time of Tab and Spine of God and yes, that should be read as a ringing endorsement. 'Grimace' is a wonderfully tripped out number with a climactic feel that serves as the perfect conclusion to the album. Imagine Nebula's Acid-Rock on 2009's underrated Heavy Psych but with Guitar histrionics courtesy of Isaiah Mitchell than Eddie Glass. Impressive stuff indeed.

At only £6 there's really no reason why you shouldn't pick up a copy of the record, what is that, two coffees from Greggs? Its worth the sacrifice, believe me. A minor niggle might be the album's artwork as music this accomplished deserves a proper visual representation. But I'm nitpicking, a great record which demonstrates true promise.