Taint Of South Wales are something of an enigma. Many have striven to place
their sound within a handy genre definition, only to find themselves
wondering whether a band so dynamic and full of surprises can really be
called 'sludge', or whether music so antithetical to boredom can justifiably
be termed 'post-hardcore'. Taint's 2005 full-length debut for Rise Above,
'The Ruin Of Nova Roma' was a crafty beast that revelled in contructing such
riddles for the listener and, of course, the critic. Pigeonholes are for
pigeons, after all. It's the purpose of great rock groups to not quite fit
in.
Formed as teenagers in 1994 amid the South Wales DIY punk/metal scene, Taint
released a few demo cassettes of epic Helmet-influenced riffology which
landed them with a stoner/doom tag that would, eventually, become
superfluous. In 2000 the 'Die Die Truthspeaker' mini-album was released on
London's Household Name Records and national shows were played with the
likes of Acrimony, Canvas, Capdown, Cathedral, Consumed, Converge, Clutch,
Earth Crisis, Hard To Swallow, Iron Monkey, Stampin' Ground, Spirit Caravan
and Will Haven. Where many of those bands have disbanded or changed beyond
all recognition, Taint are still here, following their own path with
determination and purpose, their recent UK tour with Clutch leaving many
jaws dangling open at the sheer intensity and fervour the band are able to
generate live. Which brings us to their second full-length album release,
'Secrets And Lies'.
As with '...Nova Roma', 'Secrets And Lies' was produced by the band and
mixed by ex-Fudge Tunnel/Nailbomb guitarist turned successful studio hound
Alex Newport (Melvins/At The Drive In/The Locust et al). In Newport the band
have found an ideal collaborator, a figure who instinctively understands how
good, angry, heartfelt rock music should sound. As such, 'Secrets And Lies'
is neither undercooked or overheated, it simmers with rage yet never boils
over.
The album is an object lesson in sustained tension, reinforced with the
toughest of hooks and complex dynamics which suggest a certain familiarity
with the murky world of prog while remaining firmly grounded in aggressive,
energetic punk-informed rock. And the riffs! Every track is blessed with the
kind of infectious gut-level riffage lesser bands would give not only their
eye teeth but a mouthful of precious pearly whites to procure.
There are, as previously mentioned, some stylistic surprises in store. The
grim medievalism of 'What The Crow Saw' soon accelerates into a speedy,
windswept dash complete with flute and somewhat reminiscent of
'Presence'-era Led Zeppelin in its breathless momentum, albeit invested with
a vital streak of hardcore pugnacity. But most of all, 'Secrets And Lies'
witnesses Taint exploring the limits of what they do and pushing beyond,
perfecting themselves without forfeiting the abrasive edge that
characterised their previous releases and provided their initial promise.
They have delivered one of this year's most powerful albums, and a wake up
call to British rock.
Taint 'Secrets And Lies' Uk Tour, April '07.
All photos by Steward Ravel.
Taint @ La Place, Caen, France, 4/4/08
Taint @ Sonic, Lyon, France, 1/4/08
Taint - August Tour Announced!'s Friend Space (Top 20)
HellO))) guys!!! I just saw that yourelease that fucking Vinyl!!! I want that!!! Where can i Find it?? (i want the 2 different ones...hehe) Cheers from sunny Greece!!!
Hello! Thanks for the add. We're very pleased to expose your music in Russia. Here is a direct link to the Russian-language review on "The Ruin Of Nova Roma" - http://www. raig. ru/distro_SuperFi. asp#SFRISE66. Best wishes,
you guys have inspired me so much with your music. come tear Canada a new asshole. Come to Toronto so we can fucking obliterate a stage into the bowels of HELL :P
Hi there just listened to secret and lies this morning 07:30 AM... Tunes coming soon... Great music you guys and excellent production by Sir. Alex Newport. Any plan to do Italy?
