EP REVIEW: Blitz Part 2 – Strange Bones

Blackpool may be the home to the Pleasure Beach, the Illuminations and a football team with more twists and turns than its rollercoasters, but there is a serious DIY music scene creeping through right now. Whereas once the Lancashire seaside town was more known for tacky hen/stag do’s and their sticks of rock, it’s currently going through a renaissance thanks to independent venue Bootleg Social, helping a group of bands to stick their roots in and launch their own careers. One such group is electronic punk outfit STRANGE BONES who are releasing brand new EP Blitz Part 2 today via Ditto Music, the follow up to their Blitz Part 1 release that surfaced last year.

With the three tracks clocking in at a smidge under eight and a half minutes, Blitz Part 2 takes about as much time to spin as the average smoker gets through a cigarette, but it’s got a lot involved. The jarring start to Napalm Uber Alles opens up into a well-balanced blend of ENTER SHIKARI and THE ONE HUNDRED, combining those big techno drops with a take-no-prisoners attitude. The same holds true for Underdogs, vocalist Bobby Bentham spitting lyrics furiously whilst beats pulsate around his words. The final track, Ten Guns, has a hint of FEVER 333 in terms of the sound and style, although doesn’t quite hit the same levels of anger that Jason Aalon Butler produces. It’s also probably the most electronic of the lot, ironic when the guitars are clearer on this track than either of the others.

Whereas Blitz Part 1 showcased more of the punk rawness that STRANGE BONES harness in themselves, Blitz Part 2 is the more experimental brother. It doesn’t quite hit the same heights as its counterpart but it’s a solid place to start if you fancy getting into music like this. One thing is for certain though; there’s more to Blackpool than ice-creams and pretty lights, and STRANGE BONES are bent on ensuring that remains known.

Rating: 6/10

Blitz Part 2 is out now via Ditto Music. 

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