Wax ChattelsClot

Contorting between percussive jazz fills, ‘drum n bass’ inspired instrumentals and abrasive shoegaze-esque build-ups; Clot is the dominant follow up release from New Zealand post-punks, Wax Chattels.   

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Embracing the accentuations of the Australian/New Zealand identity in modern day punk, Wax Chattels’ contrast between Paul Ruddell and Amanda Cheng’s enigmatic vocals provides a sound that is undoubtedly garnering international attention at the moment.

Considering Clot was recorded as a three-piece consisting of only a bass guitar, keyboards and a two-piece drum kit, it has an incredible range of tone and instrumentation packed in. The blending of melancholic punk verses, frantic walls of sound and the intricate off-kilter jazz inspired drumming of Tom Leggett provide mesmerising effects. With Leggett adopting breakbeats and snare patterns that are usually reserved for acts like Aphex Twin, whose use of similar high tempo patterns could only be manufactured via Korg drum machines.

Clot continues to establish Wax Chattels as a group that are not only embodying the popularities of modern day punk music but a group that is working hard to expand the expectations of what can commonly be a stagnant genre.

While the opening synths to Efficiency may initiate PTSD to the days of dial-up internet, it’s distinctive blend of unison vocals, downtuned bass and jagged rhythm provides a meticulously chaotic effect. Continuing to blend between the realms of hazy heaviness Cede adds a juxtaposition between punk and dance music; with its vitriolic chorus sung in Amanda Cheng’s native language of Taiwanese Hokkien bearing one of Clot‘s most defining moments. Opposing its name Less Is More maintains the frantic expectation of Clot, whilst An Eye and Forever Marred add an ominous placidity previously pioneered by acts such as Chelsea Wolfe and PJ Harvey.

Furthering the psychotic synth-punk notions found on the groups 2018 self-titled debut; Clot continues to establish Wax Chattels as a group that are not only embodying the popularities of modern day punk music but a group that is working hard to expand the expectations of what can commonly be a stagnant genre.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Efficiency, Cede, Spanner_Implement
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