Cork-based alt-rock outfit Transmission Club will release their second EP, ‘The Hour of the Wolf’, on Friday, July 13th. Recorded and produced by Chris Somers at One Chance Out Studios, the band’s sophomore release takes the listener on a musical trajectory from the intimate to the anthemic within three tracks. The E.P was mastered by Pete Maher (The Pixies, Jack White, Goldfrapp) in his London studio. Titled after the surrealist horror film by Ingmar Bergman, ‘The Hour of the Wolf‘ delves into themes of isolation and fear of the subconscious, explored through a compelling blend of folk-rock and electronic soundscapes. Formed in 2014 as the bedroom recording project of Michael Prendiville, Transmission Club is quickly becoming one of the most unique acts in the Irish music scene. The band’s diverse sonic palette combines elements of indie, folk and grunge, textured with harmonium, violin, keyboards, guitars, drum machines and loops. Recording takes place in bedrooms and living rooms in Cork, giving the music a raw, untrammelled feel. Transmission Club’s first EP, Salt, was released in November 2015, gaining airplay on The Alternative with Dan Hegarty (2fm), The Paul McLoone Show (Today FM) and on 8Radio. Transmission Club also recorded a live session for The Paul McLoone Show in January 2016. Salt was voted No.1 in The Last Mixed Tape’s Reader’s E.P of the Year 2015 Poll. The video for “Taking Off (Blackhole)” was nominated for a Pure M award for Best Music Video in 2017.
‘The Hour of the Wolf’ is a spellbinding three track combo that enthralls and captivates the listener in its luscious deeply moving soundscapes. From the atmospheric and delicately moving ‘This War’ with its elegance and tender tones nudged by warm guitar twinkles, soft percussion and sweet string strides, this bands sophisticated and deeply poignant musicianship becomes apparent. The band build the track meticulously, slowly brooding as if every breath, every note takes its own pace, gently conveying the heart breaking theme. The track builds to a distorted explosive crescendo which sends shivers down your spine. They write tunes that make you listen, grab your attention and tear your heart out. They do this not only through sweet tenderness but through gritty dark instrumentation too. ‘Taking Off (Blackhole)’ is simply magnificent. Eerie vocals coo over lamenting strings and a dark murky guitar riff. Once again distortion is placed perfectly to add urgency and a sense of dizzying panic through this sublime gripping experience. The elegance of the strings is the perfect contrast to the psychedelic haunting soundscapes. This bands ability to creating wholly enthralling tunes that fill you with emotion from melancholic and sweet to haunting and chilling is fantastic. They execute their instruments with a fine tuned precision that is masterful. ‘The Porcupine Dilemma’ brings us to the end of our mesmerising journey with Transmission Club. It’s a soft little gem that features glistening guitar between emotional, warm vocals while lush backing vocals, a thumping beat and graceful strings fill out the sound. It’s deeply moving and passionate as the divine melody fluidly flows over the tapping rhythm and delicate instrumentation. ‘The Hour of the Wolf’ EP is a thought provoking well structured treasure trove that fills you with vivid instrumentation, oodles of passion with wholesome melodies running throughout. It’s a thoroughly satisfying and rich experience.
‘The Hour of the Wolf’ will be available from July 13th on Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify. A limited CD run of the E.P will be available also.
You can follow Transmission Club on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/transmissionclubmusic