Scattered Ashes – Parallel Lines EP

Dark and severely intense the freshly released three track ep from Dublin’s Scattered Ashes is everything lovers of those first steps away from the punk of ‘76/’77/’78 into the post-punk  of ’79-’85 could want. Whilst the influences can be heard, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Sisters Of Mercy et al, it’s too easy to rely on comparison, Scattered Ashes do their own thing and drag post-punk kicking into the modern age.

Previous single Love Is Not An Option opens the EP with it’s stark, rolling gothic bass riff, throbbing drums, acerbic guitars, subtle background keys and deep, almost spoken, cutting vocals. “You’re finding it easy while I’m finding it hard” introduces us to the dark side of a relationship going sour. Close your eyes and you could be back in that dark, basement club parading around the dance floor lost in your own chicken dance trance (as we called it in Leeds). Open your eyes and you’re bang up to date, still dressed in black  but silhouetted against stark, pure white light. Jump forward just a short step and Love Is Not An Option will be packing the alternative dancefloors full.

Parallel Lines continues the searing guitars, dark bass rhythm and savage drums but takes an altogether more anthemic approach. A rousing noise, a merciless assault on the senses. On top of this statements such as “You’re stuck in the grey between right and wrong” hammers home the indecisions, doubts and justifications we torment ourselves with. A perfect live set closer if ever there was one.

The three track EP closes with a dark, off the wall, completely leftfield remix of Love Is Not An Option by Dublin producer Wastefellow. Think late night, spaced out club closer that worms it’s way into your cerebral matter and won’t dislodge and you won’t be far off.

The Parallel Lines EP is now available pre-ordered on ‘blood red’ vinyl via Bandcamp and can be streamed via digital platforms here