ALBUM REVIEW: Lizard Lounge – Barren Womb
The Finnish and Norwegian duo that is BARREN WOMB have created a piece of pure chaos with their newest album Lizard Lounge. With their astounding DIY punk sound mixed in with more classic hardcore influences this is an album that does the unexpected – and yet also makes the name Lizard Lounge make complete sense. After-all a lounge full of lizards would be pretty chaotic if you think about it, and the band have imbued this record with that sense of natural chaos.
The energy contained within Lizard Lounge makes this feel like more of a live album than a studio recording, and it is a testament to Timo and Tony’s relentless capacity for chaos to have dulled absolutely none of their edges in a studio environment. Whilst lacking polish perhaps, this is an album that thrives on the rough edges – and any sense of fine-tuning or polish would simply distract from the duo’s aim of causing as much pandemonium as possible.
Their dedication to their craft is evident on this record, as it never lets up – instead pummelling the listener with their high-paced brand of punk that contains their true DIY garage spirit. This isn’t an easy listening album, but by god it’s a good record to put on if you want to wake up. That’s not to say however that there isn’t any melody on Lizard Lounge, indeed Karma As A Tour Manager has elements of big stadium rock ‘n’ roll tracks, and even hints of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE influences. With repetitive melodic verses and then big explosions into a chorus this is a big melodic song given the BARREN WOMB treatment – because while it is melodic it is no less intense or chaotic, which is of course a theme that continues throughout the entire record – however this would certainly be a good introduction to the band for first-timers.
Whilst chaotic and completely in your face punk, BARREN WOMB are still able to marry those crucial aspects of their style with catchy riffs and introductions that instantly hook the listener in. Hairy Palms is a perfect example of this, with an absurd name, big rock ‘n’ roll riffs and a REFUSED-inspired chorus, this feels like a song that could have been off the Swedish hardcore icons’ last record, and it is clear that Timo and Tony have caught onto that catchy hardcore element that makes Dennis Lyxzén’s outfit so successful.
With lyrics such as: “Watch out it’s the eighth wonder, brought to you by a snake charmer,” it is clear that BARREN WOMB are masters of the written and sung word, able to create serious songs from absurdity, there is no avenue that they won’t try and explore – with little fear of embarrassment from extraordinary topic choices for their songs. Indeed this is obvious simply from looking at the titles of the songs on this record, with names such as Crop Circle Jerk, Cemetary Slopestyle and You Do The Meth as some particular highlights.
BARREN WOMB don’t take themselves too seriously, and neither should everyone else – this is not stoic hardcore, this a big fun punk record with catchy hooks and massive choruses. Critics have often compared them to KVELERTAK in the past and it is clear that their Norwegian contemporaries sense of showmanship has rubbed off on this duo, as this sounds like a big punk rock record designed for having fun – but that also would not be out of place in a legendary venue like the Electric Ballroom. Go into Lizard Lounge with an open mind, and remember that the incredible amount of noise that you are hearing comes from a two-piece causing as much pandemonium as possible with such little equipment
Rating: 7/10
Lizard Lounge is set for release May 22nd via Loyal Blood Records.
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