In January, the Finnish-German alternative act, ROOTBRAIN, announced that it had teamed up with Corpsepaint Records in order to release a new EP, “for our listening pleasure,” as the marketing slogan went. Well, it truly proved a pleasure to listen to this 4-track offering, “Mothertomb,” in depth; whereas the band’s 2023 debut full-length, “Breakwater,” was a tad more experimental, almost as though representing a band still in search of the its’ inner voice, this new EP is a confident show of strength. The debut already showed tell-tale signs of the band’s love for the grunge and alternative acts of the 1990s. On “Mothertomb,” the grunge vibes are even more prominent. For us, aging 1990s kids, it is a trait most welcome, especially when the songcraft is this brilliant. ROOTBRAIN features members from pedigree metal acts, so it comes as no surprise; lead guitarist V Santura is probably better known from TRIPTYKON and DARK FORTRESS; vocalist Jules Näveri is known for his contributions to PROFANE OMEN, SPIRITRAISER, and ENEMY OF THE SUN; rhythm guitarist Hurja Helle has played in DAUNTLESS; bassist Thomas Wright is known for his low-end contributions to KUOLEMANLAAKSO, THE NIBIRUAN, and ELENIUM; drummer Fat Tony is known from KUOLEMANLAAKSO, GHOULSTARS, and DISCARD. So, by the looks of it, ROOTBRAIN is an all-star passion project.
Following a devious, old-school tactic, the catchiest banger opens the EP with a real knock-out punch. “Unawares” unfolds into a grunge blast blending Slavic melancholy with ALICE IN CHAINS-like riffs and vocal harmonies. The lyrics rather poignantly convey something familiar to me – the lyrics come off as if charged with the flannel-shirted alienation of the disenfranchised youth of the early 1990s in that recession-struck Finland where I grew up listening to the enchanting sounds of those lovely Seattle bands. Now, with the state of things bearing a rather uncanny resemblance to what it was like some 30 years ago, the song really hits a nerve.
The title track resonates with a tad more acoustic air, recalling the haunting, acoustic darkness of “Jar of Flies EP” by ALICE IN CHAINS, here and there. Needless to say, I love it, the raw intensity that shines through despite all the song’s acoustic ornaments, and the heavy riffs toward the song’s end serve as the final frosting on the delicious, sonic cake. I reckon the EP was named after this beast simply because it truly is the emotional cornerstone of the selection.
Next up, the band delivers a grungey cover rendition of the mid-1990s GARBAGE banger, “#1 Crush.” Transforming something so essentially electronic pop into grunge works like dark magic! In retrospect, it’s no wonder why so many bands, from SUBURBAN TRIBE, LAB, and whatnot, tapped into this vein in the late 1990s – it’s like a match made in heaven (or hell). ROOTBRAIN refrains from using electronic elements and opts for a straight-up grunge approach with this blockbuster from yesteryear, making the song sound just like one of their own.
Last, “Svobomir” closes the EP with a deep nod to the vintage-metal aesthetic. Although the song does not roll out such breakneck runs across the guitar fretboard as ANNIHILATOR‘s 1989 classic “Alison Hell,” the unsettling mood bears some similarity, especially during those acoustic sections. Here, the band’s strength shines through the best; even though the music is heavily influenced by the past, the 1990s especially, it is not merely about nostalgia-tripping down memory lane – ROOTBRAIN owns the songcraft by adding their signature, modern stamp on it. By way of bridging the gap between the debut and whatever full-length extravaganza is to come next, this 4-track EP sure does get us hyped up!
Written by Jani Lehtinen
Tracklist
- Unawares
- Mothertomb
- #1 Crush
- Svobomir
Lineup
Jules Näveri – vocals
V Santura – lead guitars
Hurja Helle – rhythm guitars
Thomas Wright – bass
Fat Tony – drums
Label
Corpsepaint Records
