Banks Arcade - DEATH 2 (EP Review)

Banks Arcade - DEATH 2Released: February 2nd, 2024 LineupJoshua O’Donnell // Vocals, GuitarHarlan Allen-Jones // BassJames Feekes // DrumsBenny Canham / GuitarOnlineFacebookInstagramTwitterSince their emergence, Banks Arcade have consistently been a talking point. Most notably, for their erasure of genre and pursuit of an individual sound; a feat which has prevailed for them many times already. Yet, the biggest display of this very practice is to be found within their latest EP, DEATH 2. Infused with raging electronica, raw aggression, and an inescapable sense of pride, the EP solidifies the band’s unwavering energy and consistent approach to creativity as a fluctuating means of identity. Presenting themselves at their darkest yet, DEATH 2 is a loud and proud journey through the most haunting pathways of the band's mind, and is a body of work not to be forgotten anytime soon. The EP opens with a fiery and immediate start in the form of ‘Worship The Internet’, one of the key singles from this six-track body of work. The track begins, and maintains, a whirlwind of industrial sounds that clang against the buzzing of haunting guitars, creating a soundscape that is expressive and complex, yet not overbearing. The track, even with its heavy immediate layers, somehow continues progressing and developing, inviting more stunted sounds and crispy moments of electronica to fight for your attention. Despite this, O’Donnell’s harsh and hypnotizing vocals swipe in, remaining one of the most stellar features of this project. Such vocals dive between moments of intrusive and brutal to smooth and talkative, all aiding in constructing this war cry anthem for the new era. ‘Worship The Internet’ is plastered with a loveable spunk, cockiness, and confidence that continues to permeate throughout this whole work, merely giving a taste of what is to come. One of the most enticing parts of the track comes from the battle between “incite violence” and “shut the fuck up”, all leading to soaring guitars that already leave your mouth agape as to the new standards that have been set on DEATH 2 emerge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0JkTQIBIzA‘Sentimental’ is once again a heavily layered track. It’s busy in a way that it alarms and alerts, but doesn’t overwhelm. The way Banks Arcade plays with instrumentation within this EP is something not only fun and intriguing but is also in tune with their identity- one of a boundless sense of creativity and true to their genre-bending, expressive nature. This EP itself is perhaps most testament to these ideals, and truly proves that the Melbourne boys find no genre, no expectations, and most importantly, no limits to their creative endeavours. Between heavy layers, to moments of isolation before the chorus, both the dissonance and clamorousness of the track are curated perfectly, allowing it to fluctuate through an incredibly diverse soundscape. At times, it finds similarities between other homegrown faves like Ocean Grove! Lyrically, the track is quite symbolic of this EP as a whole; the creation of something new, a lack of time to present oneself, and to strike while the iron is hot… there is no time to dwell in the past. Charmingly arrogant, but seductive and alluring, ‘Sentimental’ holds a charm like no other. A sharp, riff-driven opening explodes into another dazzling soundscape in the form of ‘Roulette’. Immediately, intense drums begin quarreling with mighty bass and fearsome guitars, yet another intrusive, intense, but engraining musical performance. This energy is matched when O’Donnell enters with some of the heaviest vocals yet to be presented by the group. With raw aggression and an unwavering confidence, these vocals take to the forefront and fail to let go of your attention, even as they dip and fluctuate in their intensity. Despite how heavy or loud, the track is demanding for its entirety. It isn't one of those songs that is just heavy for the sake of it. Every moment calls for this sheer and unresolved anger and attitude, and uses it to fuel an exploration of destruction and the chaos of existential thoughts. Housing a little homage to the EP’s title in its lyrics, I think it's fitting this track is the most jarring, capturing, and memorable.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pv3j_HgSa8‘More Want’ opens with dire screams, its haunting atmosphere capturing with an encapsulating soundscape that fails to let you go for the entire duration of the track. These cinematic moments of ambiance are drowned out with sharp and intense electronic sounds, and instead pick up a more robotic feat of vocals. The lead-up to the chorus hits the listener with jarring and punchy sounds, emulating rapid movements in your brain. These sounds continue to intrude throughout the song, blaring rhythmically and steadily, almost like the original Halloween score. ‘More Want’ is an interesting one vocally, finding some of the most capturing moments within the groans, moans, and slurred utterances of O’Donnell. The track takes a complete shift of pace, utilizing an almost refined jazz-like moment that sees the song strip back for a moment. It offers the most simple, clean, and quiet moment within the EP, yet still demands the full force of your attention through this unique and quirky complexity. The track concludes by spiraling back into calamity; brutally forceful, loud, and industrial. While the track is still layered, ‘Killing Games’, remains one of the stripped-back offerings from Banks Arcade when comparing it to its counterparts. Not only does it offer something refreshing and alluring to this EP, but entrusts Banks Arcade with the ability to be musically diverse not just within their discography, but within a body of work that remains thematically attached. ‘Killing Games’ gives us a look into the band’s complexity, and ability to toy with different sounds and methods of presentation. It is these moments that become pivotal reminders of Banks Arcade’s consistently exciting style and reimagined takes on the genres that once confined them, they are truly in a league of their own. Despite the softer moments, the track picks up immensely for the breakdown that houses a devilish riff that is sure to get bodies dropping in a live setting. That has been something that has lingered with me when listening to this EP. The way in which DEATH 2 is set to shake up the band’s live setting and prominence is something I cannot wait to see!

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DEATH 2 closes with ‘Change’. The track enters with a sultry and seductive undertone that is only aided by beautifully nonchalant vocals and dragging guitars. The EP has been a stellar showcase of O’Donnell’s vocal diversity. From desperate and enraged screams, to soft and passionate whispers, the vocal agility and ability have been a primary vessel for the emotions, creativity, and expression of the body of work. So too, they have aided in capturing Banks Arcade at their darkest and most mysterious yet, which in turn, has completely shifted what we once knew and loved of the boys. The development and implementation of skills within this field is not something to gloss over. Fittingly, ‘Change’ holds many tempo changes, crafting the perfect auditory environment for a track that is perpetually uneasy and unresting. It truly closes off the EP with a bang. Through an amazing six tracks, Banks Arcade has completely shifted their soundscape, and more so, built upon themselves to present some of their most refined, refreshing, and inspired work yet. Cultivating new sounds by embedding the skills of their past with the sounds of the future, DEATH 2 is a brave leap of faith into mixed genres and raw aggression that has paid off immensely. What perhaps makes this more outstanding is the confidence and self-assuredness that spills outwardly from the piece. This is a band who knows who they are, knows what they are after, and most importantly, knows this EP is one of their most crucial works to date.

Banks Arcade - DEATH 2 tracklisting 1. Worship The Internet2. Sentimental3. Roulette4. More Want5. Killing Games6. ChangeRating: 9.5/10 DEATH 2 is out on February 2nd, 2024 via UNFD. Pre-order/save hereReview by GeorgiaHaskins@ghaskins2002https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3m5IuB-6rk