This debut album from KWC is largely considered their "heaviest" but is by no means their only stringed and rhythmic dance with pummeling songs. With each release in their career becoming progressively more focused on letting the songs breathe and negative space, Gambling on the Richter Scale is a primal and simultaneously polished shifting tectonic plate of a release that merely flirts with the spacial techniques they later incorporate.
Production on this album consists of glass windows shattering and rocks barreling down the mountainside. Crushing and lush guitar tones singing with natural overtones and sustain breed and multiply with the clear and crunchy bass motifs underscoring their superbly well constructed tracks.
Masterclasses in bouncy and unique percussion grace every track, with each cymbal colliding with the mix in a way that simply cannot be made heavier. This album is claustrophobic and chest pounding like the city the band took its namesake from. Vocals that shred the larynx and possess the same natural distortion as the strings proclaim lyrics that are insightful and critiquing of capitalism, materialistic ownership, and corporate nihilism. Rejuvenating whilst pounding your ears.
STANDOUT TRACKS
ANNANDALE
An unrelenting opener, this track knocks you on your ass for the rest of the album. Driving tom work and riffs punch you over and over until the progression breaks and chord stabs sing, just to slam your face right back into the ground.
SLEEP DEBT
Lulling you into serenity with exotic edge of breakup guitar work, this track digs deep into the earth with the force of a giant's hammer while the vocalist shreds the speaker with a raw and unfettered yell. A noodly solo, feedback, and sludgy chugs finish this song off perfectly.
GAMBLING ON THE RICHTER SCALE
The title track opens with a precipitous and anxiety inducing crystal clean into. You're on the edge of the seat waiting. You aren't ready. Stank face provoking thick ass fucking riffs rip into you and blend with wonky slightly out of tune lead work in between. Lyrics tell the story of an earthquake destroying you and your monetary possessions. One of my favorite songs of all time and the first one I heard from this God-Tier band.
Go spin some Kowloon Walled City.
.jpg)