Matt Blackman (voice|electric guitar) Jason Tampake (violin|voice) Adam Jesson (electric bass guitar) Matt Rossetti (drums)
special guest player on 'Escaping Mankind': Bree van Reyk (drums|percussion|voice)
All original paintings (album and poster art) by Jack Warren
"A tense, sparse amalgamation of folk leanings and tender electric passages. On songs such as Speakeasy Death Song their mood is apparent, but Lullaby For The Apocalypse displays their ability to dramatically resolve atmospheric movements. An album to dig deep into."
**** - Sydney Morning Herald
"A breathtaking piece of work. A bona-fide conversation-stopper."
Mess+Noise
"Managing to pull off this kind of sweeping, symphonic sound sincerely is often difficult, but this band delivers the goods without ever venturing into ridiculously dramatic or cliched territory...'Escaping Mankind' is one of the few truly special releases of 2008. Do not miss it."
(Album of the Week) - dB Magazine, Adelaide
"Escaping Mankind - a gorgeous unequivocal piece of musical excellence."
**** - The Brag, Sydney
"Escaping Mankind is distinctly Australian, steeped in colonial blood and next in line in that slowly-drawn, murky billabong of acts like Dirty Three, The Drones, Something for Kate and Because of Ghosts. It's verging on the gothic, like a blackened creek bed. Very ornate, always dark. And, fittingly, Charge Group's first show was an interment, when Blackman and violinist Jason Tampake played a funeral for a friend. Arcade Fire rose, phoenix-like, out of a set of these. And you first wonder if Charge Group really ever will. Escaping Mankind is sad and hard and sometimes stifling. But then there are little flecks of hope, in the violin and pathos, the chance encounter with a faster pace. So it never gets quite as desperate as you might think, but sheds its weight and crawls out into the sunlight.
The 'Charge' here refers not to the maelstrom of storming the barricades. No, it's all about 'charging' as in slowly drawing in, gradually getting ready. That's what Charge Group do, and, like a battery, it all takes a long time to drain out, but that's where the beauty lies. It's a process that allows the music to just sit and gather weight, and you can't help but let it seep in, eventually.
From the violin and scattered drums, not simply flavouring the music around the guitars but rather structuring it (this is an album built like a long bow) to Blackman's worn and tired vocals that sometimes soar into heartfelt chorus, there are many subtle and grand aspects here to absorb."
Beat Magazine, Melbourne
"Their sound exists on a knife edge, balancing perfectly between emotion-fueled freedom and complete fragility. Well-controlled silence, mountain-sized whirling soundscapes and orchestral intermissions."
8.6/10 - Polaroids of Androids (blog)
"The attention to detail is countered with a relaxed and gentle air, though each time you lose your guard the band kicks back in with intense climaxes - a final nod to their shared days as Purplene. You'll listen to this record on your own and be consumed entirely."
Drum Media, Sydney
"What I’m trying to say is relatively simple: Charge Group’s debut record, Escaping Mankind, is brilliant. No two ways about it."
Who The Bloody Hell Are They? (blog)
"Matt Blackman’s beautifully simplistic near-deadpan Australian drawl...one of the more compelling and original voices on the Australian musical landscape. Charge Group’s triumph is their ability to marry moments of unbridled beauty with complete sonic chaos at a level scarcely matched in this country."
**** - Time Off, Brisbane
"My favourite band of 2008."
Meagan Loader
Station Director, FBI radio
Charge Group play loud dynamic rock music (with an electric guitar, a violin, an electric bass and a set of drums) that can instigate sorrow, health, rapture, rapid eye movement, toothache and intrusive self-assessment all at once. Charge Group will light your way home then welcome you at the door with a punch in the guts.
<-- <-- read some reviews over there <-- <--
Blackman, Jesson and Rossetti were all part of defunct angular rock group Purplene, while Jesson and Rossetti are members of Newcastle guitar rock terrorists The Instant - who are currently on an indefinite hiatus. Blackman recently formed the rather explosive Palace of Fire with ex-Wolfmother founding members Chris Ross and Myles Heskett, and plays drums in the lovably unhinged Tucker B's. He also helped found Sydney experimental instrumental 5-piece Ukiyo-e and contributed work to Firekites, of which Jason Tampake is a full-time member. Tampake also works with Josh Pyke.
hi there guys! i'm marta, from portugal. we met when you performed in braga on the past october 17th... i'm the picture's girl :) after you left to park the van i had to go home so i didn't have anytime to say goodbye! so, i also forgot to say to you that while i was shooting your show, i fell of stage and hurted my elbow so bad!! and i blame you because if you weren't so good playing your awesome music i would be able to take my eyes off you and try not to stumble... :P i really want to thank you for the wonderful time, you're amazing and it was really nice to meet you... do you remember that picture? kisses and keep the good work!
Hi guys¡¡¡ it was really great to meet you , and we houpe to see you really soon....maybe we can go to AUSTRALIAA¡¡¡ yeah¡¡a big big hug full of good vibes for all you
hi guys, here are some souvenirs of those awesome moments we spent together! i hope the european tour will continue as good as it's started. talk to you soon, kevin
