Chaos Under Control: Takomaha Tear Down the Status Quo with ‘American Basements’
There exists a delicate balance between total control and absolute chaos. On their EP ‘American Basements’, Oslo’s noise-rock protagonists Takomaha dance directly on that edge. Released via their Norwegian fellows from Loyal Blood Records (Barren Womb), the four-track release offers a shoegaze-soaked blast of noise that feels as calculated as it is explosive.
Produced by the acclaimed Nick Terry (known for his work with Kvelertak, Serena-Maneesh), ‘American Basements’ is the result of what the band describes as « four tracks of urban dystopia » : which basically means a sonic reflection of a world choking on self-entitlement and decay. The EP functions as a « four-song battering ram » channeling the jagged urgency of Glassjaw, the volatile fire of At The Drive-In, and the distortion-drenched assault of A Place To Bury Strangers.
The journey begins with the title track, a study in « relatable vitriol » that pits harrowing guitar swirls against a ferocious, forward-driving groove to dismantle the weaponization of self-pity. This intensity flows into « Scope Kreep » a caustic incursion of melodic contemplation within abrasive texture, highlighted by siren-esque vocal caresses that offer a brief, haunting calm.
The momentum shifts with « NO_CLIP » a mercurial heavy post-punk turn where dextrous rhythms and abrading guitar winds create a claustrophobic space ripe for discovery. Then, the EP reaches its climax with « Tropical Slitwrist » a complex, woven incitement that builds into a violent intensity where multi-layered textures erupt into a sonic fever pitch that is as punishing as it is rewarding.
Takomaha isn’t just making noise; they are crafting a « hallucination wrapped in uneasy serenity. » They allow melodies to burst through the wreckage just long enough for the listener to find their bearings before the next surge of darkness swallows the frame. ‘American Basements’ is more than an EP; it is a sonic manifesto of apathetic calm. For those who want their music to challenge and ignite the senses, Takomaha has delivered an essential, high-energy document of broken realities.
