HAAL

Bristol four-piece HAAL have managed to blow us away with their debut EP ‘Back to Shilmarine’. This mighty band consists of Alfie Hay (guitar & vocals), Ethan Jones (synthesisers, sampling & backing vocals), Joe Collins (bass, synth & backing vocals) and Joe Frost (drums & percussion).

Released via Babka Records, ‘Back to Shilmarine’ is an impressive debut 5-track EP. From the get-go on, HAAL are not messing around and unleash an assault to the senses in the first couple of seconds on first song ‘Vinculum’. They are going for immediate impact, destabilising you as a listener. With words written by Nathan Richards, and stonily delivered by Hay, there is Frank Black-ian storytelling on this record. This is not a comfortable listen, as they have been exploring ideas of despair and there are screams on ‘Platform 1, 18:19’ to prove it.

Pixies-esque quiet-loud moments, found throughout the EP, leaves you unable to predict where they’re taking you next. HAAL have been described as post-rock, industrial, experimental and alt-rock. Listening to ‘A²’and ‘Platform 1, 18:19’, they also take on atmospheric grunge tones. Jones’ use of sampling and radio manipulation with the band’s distortion and feedback-filled sound, reminding us of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins at their peak. Plus, extraordinary vocals by Alfie on ‘Platform 1, 18:19’, as he gives us a truly guttural performance.

‘To Be A Machine’ and ‘Blank Sleep’ both feature additional vocals by Esther Pollock alongside Hay. Together, they capture an eerie and haunting air to the end of the EP. With things getting creepy and strange, the band steadily build up to a heavy and ambient finality that leaves you deep in thought. In my mind, the late Richey Edwards, Manic Street Preachers spokesman and bandmate, would have absolutely loved this band. Richey meticulously planned every aspect of early Manics and wanted more than just music; he wanted art. It has never been harder to set yourself apart in today’s music landscape, and yet HAAM have managed to do just that. Being raw and authentic, HAAL have achieved a sound entirely their own and on their own terms. HAAL are a creative force to be reckoned with, and overflowing with integrity and imagination. We can't rate this EP highly enough.

Track list:
1. Vinculum
2. A²
3. Platform 1, 18:19
4. To Be A Machine
5. Blank Sleep