Tobacco - Sweatbox Dynasty

Rating:

If you make it through the end of this record, chances are you might even grow to like it.

This new release from the elusive Thomas Fec aka Tobacco is a listen for an acquired palette. With songs that flirt between being listenable and just downright insane, it occasionally comes across as a Transformer having a bad day.

Opener ‘Human Om’ begins with an ominously terrifying synth riff before breaking deeply vocoded words join the party. This is concurrent with the rest of the record, where you’ll also find things just abruptly move into loud and chaotic. Trying to keep up with what’s happening is like watching a child on too much sugar. It’s entertaining, but at some point you know it’s going to backfire and nightmares will be had. ‘Wipeth Out’ is the electronic version of a motorbike revving without due course. Absolutely manic and bordering unlistenable, unless of course you’re aided by many, many chemicals.

‘Home Invasionaries’ is a more approachable track that takes a mildly 80s approach, matching a bass line with an unobtrusive drum beat. Of course there’s some more of that deep vocoder, just to make sure you don’t get too comfortable. If you make it through the end of this record, chances are you might even grow to like it, in the same way Stockholm Syndrome kicks in eventually. There are moments that are pleasant and don’t drive you away, but it’s just getting to these through the torrential amount of noise. Steven Loftin