Photo Source: Dog Shredder
This upcoming Saturday, Dog Shredder are playing at The Highline with Rose Windows and Kayo Dot.
Their latest EP Brass Tactics – released in April via local Seattle label Good to Die Records – is a maelstorm of sweat, blood and adrenaline. All three songs do battle with the listener, evidenced before the aural inferno even takes off by their names: "Battle Toads," "Battle Snakes," and "Battle 07."
"Battle Snake" is heavy and lightning-quick. The pace of the song does not relent, leaping from lick to lick in a powerful and precise dance. Math rock’s signature stop/start dynamics and time signature flips are present, but what once was asymmetrical guitar looping is furious progressive rock spit from the maw of Dog Shredder. Part monster of metal, part creature of incessant progression, part pure thrash, their musical chimeras bridge the gap between technical brilliance and exuberant, emotional energy.
"Battle 07" is a significant departure from the two prior tracks; a lone, aching synth conjoins with Josh Holland’s obscured vocals in a bizarro post-punk ballad. The clinking of wrenches and chains slinks in through industrial-like programming. What feels like a desperate cathedral sermon gradually distorts itself into a dystopian anthem.
September 1st at The Highline will be an excellent show – do not miss Dog Shredder and the rest of the lineup! The 21+ show begins at 10pm and costs $10. Check out "Battle Toads" below and visit their bandcamp to stream all of Brass Tactics. The EP is available digitally for $4, or through GTD Records on vinyl for $10.
– Cameron LaFlam