ALBUM REVIEW: Somnambulists (re-issue) – There Were Wires

A principal benefit of the modern era and the resurgence of physical media is that bands largely thought to be confined to the catalogues of history can be given the attention that they duly deserve. Enter Massachusetts heavyweights THERE WERE WIRES with a re-issue of their 2003 sophomore album, Somnambulists. This re-issue comes as part of the return to the musical fold of Iodine Recordings, after 17 years away.

THERE WERE WIRES flex their compositional muscles throughout this record. The band clearly has an excellent understanding of dynamics and tempo control. The opening New Doom sets out intentions early, with a thundering opening section that rolls along into a song that is able to turn on a dime, whilst delivering thick slabs of riff for you to bang your head to. The band show their roots in the Boston hardcore scene too, with sudden adrenalinised turns of pace that don’t allow the listener to get comfortable. There are moments of calm as well in this sea of noise, where the band really plays with the atmosphere of the track, letting us know that we are in for a real sonic journey.

The middle of Somnambulists comes thick and fast, with only one track breaching the three minute mark. These tracks all slot together seamlessly, fitting together as if they were one continuous work. His Talk, Her Teeth roars out of the traps, evoking fellow Bostonians CONVERGE and BOTCH, followed by the first of two instrumentals, Walking, which showcases the band’s utilisation of creating a sonic landscape with their instruments. Get Cryptic follows, smashing aside any calm or reflective ideas put down before. Another instrumental, Waking, harks back to motifs used in the previous instrumental, but the ideas are allowed to develop further. The final movement of this section, Black Magic Rabbit, brings the long extended composition to a furious close.

The final piece of original material, Gasp, gives the band the space to really show what they can do. The control of dynamics truly peaks in this epic 10-minute journey, with the band’s instruments weaving together in the opening section, which builds to the first riff of the songs. The drums increase the tempo, pushing us forward to a middle section that will hit home for all the MASTODON fans out there. At 10 minutes, this is the longest song on the record, yet it flows so seamlessly, showcasing the compositional nouse of the band. A cover of SONIC YOUTH’s Tunic follows, drenched in feedback, paying homage to one of the best bands to ever do it.

For all the fans of MASTODON and BOTCH, this is an album that is needed in your collection, to pay homage to a band who finally deserve their dues.

Rating: 7/10

Somnambulists is out now via Iodine Recordings.

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