EP REVIEW: Eva Bartok – Eva Bartok
EVA BARTOK appear to have set their sights on honesty, integrity and the dissemination of bare-bones punk rock and pain since their recent formation in South Wales. This self-titled debut was recorded in Cardiff with Liam Ross (SYLOSIS, MONUMENTS, HARK) with production by Fudge Wilson (EXIT INTERNATIONAL) and was mixed by Kurtis Bagley of Luna Crown Audio (HOLDING ABSENCE). It’s vivid how much of a great time this impressive team had whilst making this EP, with insane production decisions and wicked post-punk riffing. The record clocks in at under ten minutes, further cementing the impossibility of missing the urgency and purpose behind EVA BARTOK.
Lies And Trickery opens this ten-minute-tirade with trashy punk production and utter venom. It’s both classic in its post-punk, hardcore roots and innovative in its execution. This is an ace introduction to an anti-protocol hardcore band and it is so refreshing. Next track Chess Club maintains the energy and rage of the opening track perfectly. It’s difficult not to feel under attack from the timing changes constantly coming from left field and the chaotically crafted vocals, very much echoing other purveyors of audio insanity akin to this such as LEATHERMOUTH.
Mexico opens with somehow even trashier drums than before, before haphazardly rushing to reinsert the intravenous punk supply. The vocals are beautifully off-kilter and every off-key note only serves to nurture the chaos. It all feels very much like a brawl under a motorway bridge – and it’s beautiful. EP closer Houses arrives before any chance to catch breath does. The first real catchy hook of the EP “All the houses you have built,” is magnificently intense. This track, much like the rest of the EP, is a total 2000’s post-punk time machine and serves as a fantastic EP closer.
The self-titled EP from EVA BARTOK sounds like it was recorded with a toaster by a producer who didn’t want to say ‘no’ (which is pretty clearly an intentional move) and it would be a shame to have it any other way. The personality of EVA BARTOK is already vivid on this wicked debut; they aren’t delicate, they aren’t careful – they are direct and they know what they want to say. What a risky but brilliant debut EP.
Rating: 8/10
Eva Bartok is out now via self-release.
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