Nomad Disco – Pressure Island
Release Date: 29th December 2023
Debut albums are always a nervy time for a band. Releasing the debut between Christmas and New Year makes it especially so. Whilst it is a traditional period for a lot of things, new music isn’t usually one of them. That hasn’t phased Prague-based post-punkers though as they set about their assistance on a resurgence in the sort of music that made the 80s such an interesting time for music.
As an intriguing intro passes through, ‘Napoli’ brings in some bass that wouldn’t have gone amiss on some of Sabbath’s early work, before launching into a pure post-punk anthem. Those haunting vocals of decades gone by, the sort that felt like a warning as much as an invitation, are backed by energetic yet grounded guitars that twinkle as much as they set a sombre grounding for an album that is a full rollercoaster of genres, pacing and style.
Gothic vibes begin to pour out of every orifice on ‘Praha’, the local name for the band’s home city. If fans of Ville Valo’s work on Him or his solo stuff are about, this is where the album becomes exactly what you want from a new band. More experimental in places, especially the drumming, and with some solos that feel like a songwriter just crying out, as this track begins to end, Pressure Island truly comes alive.
Moving into ‘Coma’ and whilst the overall pacing of the track is similar, things just feel a little more desperate here. It is again the drumming that sets the track apart, beginning simply and developing into a chaotic beat that is as unnerving as the drama that is evolving around it. This is what Pressure Island does so well for a little under 25 minutes. This intensely overbeating atmosphere that modern horror directors would love to be able to bottle and plonk on the big screen.
Pressure Island is an album that almost certainly won’t be for everyone and for those whose street it is right up, it may not even be an album for all the time, but it is one that will certainly implore listeners to return to time and time again. There are no bad tracks on this piece of emotionally charged art, just gothic tones and 80s vibes throughout. The only downside is that it’s just the eight tracks. There’s plenty more to come from this trio though.