Blog Post
Battalion of Flies - 'In Dark Meadows... Chaos Reigns'
Martin Goulden • 23 February 2021
EP Review
After a short unavoidable delay, Scots based Alt Rockers ‘Battalion of Flies’, finally get to untether their Kickstarter campaigned offering to the public in a no nonsense, balls to the wall, ear bashing show of some good ol’ grunge rock/metal, very much akin to the Old School Titans of the grunge movement of the 90’s, heavily influenced by the likes of Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in Chains to name a few.
In Dark Meadows… Chaos Reigns, a 5 track EP coming in at around 25 minutes provides the listener with an insight into song writer and singer Craig Costello’s shaded yet, at times translucent thoughts and observations in the creative construction of the songs, themes ranging from Worldwide Political Leadership Lunacy, Dealing with Isolation, Social Apathy and Life Appreciation are radiated from this EP.
Opener and first single released late last year ‘Clowns’ kicks off the musical proceedings complete with those distinctive Grunge’esq drop tuning riffs and a huge pace setter for the release, ‘Nothing After this’ continues with the stride, ‘My Only Friend’ & ‘Thoughts & Prayers’ are very much on the deeper side of an unhinged mind, EP closer ‘100 days’ finishes off the inner ‘Reign of Chaos’.
5 well-crafted tunes in terms of lyrical content and musical texture, along with Costello’s vocal tones and Rhythm guitar playing, the power house backline duo of Tony Noble on Bass & CK Gillon on Drums emphasise the hard-edge hammer element throughout the EP, there is sightings of lighter ambient mood spots across this EP but as a whole this is a heavy hitting release.
In this ‘Dark Meadow’ there is certainly no room for anything Fluffy Pink or Sugar Sweet, instead Grit your Teeth and hold on tight as swathes of Monster Riffs will give you a ‘Good Butt Kicking’ and wreak havoc on your Listening Tackle.
Engineered by Jamie Turnbull, Mixed by Tommy Gleeson & Mastered by Romesh Dodangoda
The EP is packaged with some incredible artwork from Brazilian Artist Juh Leidl, capturing the turmoils of the ‘Dark Meadow’.
Battalion of Flies are:
Craig Costello – Vocals / Guitars
Tony Noble – Bass
CK Gillon – Drums/Vocals
‘In Dark Meadows…Chaos Reigns’ is released on Friday 26 February on CD format and over the usual streaming platforms.
Shop open for orders from Friday 26 February at battalionofflies.bigcartel.com
MG