MELTING HAND Faces Of Earth – Vinyl LP (pink)

Pressing info : First press on pink vinyl LP.

Melting Hand return with Faces Of Earth, following their 2016 debut Highcollider (HOSO 016LP), and a lot has changed. In that time the band have said goodbye to Russell Smith, who found the trips from his French home logistically too difficult to continue. Original members Gordon Watson (Terminal Cheesecake/Luminous Bodies), Tom Fug (Gum Takes Tooth/Luminous Bodies), and Mike Vest (Bong/11 Paranoias/Blown Out) have welcomed the arrival of Marion Andrau on guitar (The Wharves/Underground Railroad) and Wayne Adams (Big Lad/Pet Brick) on synth to round out their collective. Faces Of Earth is a startling listen; rhythm and energy push one into deep space straight from the start of opener « Dirt ». Less guitar-focused than its predecessor, bass and drums are now running the show, creating an entirely different Melting Hand, a dynamic powerhouse. Joe Henderson‘s presence is felt as the band take on his classic « Earth ». Joined by Lower Slaughter‘s Sinead Young on vocals, their homage is a perfect tribute to the man, taking inspiration and pushing sonically into new landscapes. « Terra » ramps up the pace with Johnny Halifax (Johnny Halifax and the Howling Truth) joining the band for a blown-out stomp that comes on like ZZ Top on some particularly sketchy speed. With « Gaia » and « Dirt » closing out the album, Melting Hand have clearly taken a journey into the unfamiliar, and have reaped the rewards creating a piece of work that cannot easily be categorized. 250 copies on bubblegum-pink vinyl; includes download.