Album Review: MELTS, Maelstrom

Boasting a cadre of alumni from should’ve-been-huge Dublin acts, Melts have spent the last few years maturing into one of the most powerful and primal bands in Irish rock ‘n’ roll. Their debut album sees them delve further down the rabbit hole to deliver a thrilling take on the unholy trinity of rock sub-genres (garage, space and psych, for the unenlightened).

Bolstered by dizzying synths from former Things man Robbie Brady, Maelstrom is a labyrinthine LP. At times bleak and brooding (‘Circular’), and others uplifting and beautiful (‘Skyward’), the opus is loaded with densely textured guitars and deadly hooks.

‘Signal’, though, is the star of the show – an ice-cool stomper with a welcome dose of Murder City Devils and Hawkwind in its DNA. One to savour.

Listen: ‘Signal’

Out now via Mother Sky:

Read our brand new interview with MELTS in our latest issue.