Debut four track EP from Belgian rockers Black Mirrors with a title that for me promises lots and threatens about the same; the kind of title that suggests female singer, low-slung guitar swagger in a doomy style and if you’re lucky a bucket load of sweat and blues. In other words another band in a scene so oversaturated that it makes female fronted symphonic metal look like a rarity. So, yeah they need to go some to stand out I’m afraid.

Do they?

Well this opens with a real heads down blues rocker in the title track. The vocals are fine quality, the guitar sound a nice balance between fuzz and attack and when they go for it, yeah, this is pretty cool. They do have that seventies vibe I guess but thankfully only really in a loose ‘n’ rocking way. Much more West Coast or Chicago rockers than doomy witchy freaks. As if to nail it firmly they then do a spirited cover of ‘Kick Out The Jams’, surprising only because it’s actually fun rather than by the numbers.

They name drop Joplin, Nirvana, White Stripes, Anouk and QOTSA but on ‘The Mess’ and ‘Canard Vengeur Masque’ I am genuinely reminded of a heavier, more rocking Concrete Blonde or long forgotten band I Found God. ‘Canard Vengeur Masque’ is a slow, thudding number that if honest does little for me but when ‘The Mess’ jump starts from the slow stomp into a guitar cranked semi-Canned Heat boogie you just wish it would go on for about twenty minutes.

Honestly? No wheels re-invented but this is rock ‘n’ roll, right? This is bright, energetic and has a fine rocking vibe. When they go for it and rise out of the stomp-n-thud, yeah they do have something extra. Very promising indeed.

(7/10 Gizmo)

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