FACS - Void Moments

Chicago trio, FACS, release 27th March by Trouble in Mind records

The trio comprise of Brian Case (guitarist), Noah Leger (drummer) and Alianna Kalaba (bassist) - the two men were in Disappears before the dissolution of that band an they made a 2017 debut entitled Negative Houses. The addition of Kalaba led to 2018's Lifelike.

They return with Void Moments, perhaps there most accessible album thus far - featuring songs that are less oblique and open to interpretation yet still featuring the darkness of their roots.

The album is full of these clashes - light and darkness, beauty and harshness, deafening din and softness - none more so encapsulated than in lead single 'Teenage Hive' and the follow up 'Casual Indifference'

There is a hypnotic quality to the compositions starting with opener 'Boy' a track that is both pulsating and full of flow, one thing this album could never be accused of would be lacking in energy which is infectious and careens through the seven tracks on the album.

'Teenage Hive' is one of those such infectious tracks, a riveting bassline and guitar thrash running through the core of the track that creates this sonic surge, no wonder it was the lead single.

'Casual Indifference' is the epitome of this brutal post-punk music and perhaps the standout of the album - a combination of art rock (see Activity release also) and emo shoegaze, it has a hook on you that will not let go.

FACS are a band who are searching for answers in this messy world, trying to make sense of their place and what purpose if any does this type of industrial heavy rock music have anymore.

Yet the musicianship of the trio really comes to the fore, a tightness as a group that cannot be matched plus there is a certain kind of joy coming through the airwaves in their unity together to create this unique soundscape.

Void Moments is out on 27th March from Trouble In Mind records and the bandcamp website.

My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity.