Back around May I was literally bowled over by a debut album from Germ called ‘Wish.’ It is still very much on rotation and has not made it off the table where things get played rather than shelved, possibly never to see the light of day for ages. ‘Wish’ was fantastic as the man behind it Antipodean Tim Yatras (llium, Nazxul, Austere, Woods Of Desolation and Grey Waters) had done something quite unique. This was combining a mainstream sort of flow with some very accessible tunes along with heartfelt and extreme parts mainly delivered by his throat shredding primeval screams. As reviews came in some agreed with what I wrote and I consider still the 9/10 mark justified. Other (lesser mortals) were completely flummoxed and reviews by past associates in glossy mags had me shaking my head in disgust. Still like assholes everyone has an opinion and I shall happily stand by mine.

I was both surprised and delighted to have a shorter but still nicely digestible 35 minute EP turn up so soon and was quick to download it and play. ‘My Only Hope’ starts like a real ballad, an emotional clean vocal over piano and then some soothing electronics. Frankly I could really have envisioned the likes of Marc Almond singing this or someone much more mainstream. It draws you in, then rises and wallop, gives you a clout as the full instrumentation comes in with one of those instantly recognizable screams tearing the speakers in half. Marvelous; two worlds have collided head on and then we get a guitar solo which the likes of Shining Sweden could wring out, all done in 3 minutes. Of much more substance is longest track ‘So Lonely, Dead Lonely’ at ten minutes in length. It sounds a bit Eurovision at start, musically even a bit cheesy but the accompanying shrieks take it to another place as substance takes hold. This gets muscular with hefty drum bombast and some emotionally stirring arrangements. The clean singing part takes me right back again and it’s a segment I could imagine Robert Smith singing over.

‘When Every Timepiece In The World Is Smashed’ follows in two parts. It’s a great title and has some real progressive flourishes about it, the guitar playing is excellent and it flows quickly and passionately without being furious. It’s an infectious number and you cannot help but bopping along to its happy upbeat melody. The second part is a complete contrast, simply singer and guitar and it takes me right back to some Indie bands of the past playing acoustically in a relaxed chilled out fashion. It’s practically stadium anthem time with the rafter hitting ‘Cold Grey Dawn (A New Beginning)’ those screams just keep coming, the clean vocals are graceful and the chorus completely hooks you. There is even some guitar work reminding a bit of Devin Townsend to cut it all off. Finally we completely turn inward with the title track a gloomy piano piece, Loss by name and nature.

This is an emotional roller-coaster of a ride and I like it more each time I play it, considering the running length that has been quite a few times. The mark is much more restrained here after ‘Wish’ but greatness is evident and if time is taken for the second album it could be fantastic.

 (7.5/10 Pete Woods)