EP: Shrines – Ghost Notes

After a 3 year long hiatus London’s heaviest post punk outfit Shrines return with new EP ‘Ghost Notes’.

The 4-track strong EP, which is the follow up to Shrines 2015 self-titled full length debut, sees the band push into a new more post punk direction yet maintaining a similar sense of melancholy.

‘Ghost Notes’ was recorded by Steve Long & James Burke, mixed by Dan Abela and mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios and is scheduled for a 26th March 2021 release via Apocalyptic Witchcraft Recordings.

Vocalist & guitarist Samuel J Loynes comments:

“It has been sometime in the making but we are pleased for our “Ghost Notes” EP to see the light of day, even during this strange and restrictive time. Perhaps it can serve to hit the ears of those that need it and provide a positive moment during our collective time of reflection and uncertainty.

We have pushed the band in a new direction that has yielded 4 songs, which stand alone yet come together here. We have maintained a sense of melancholy, but built new sonic tones of strength through experience.”

The EP kicks off with one hell of a rocking tune. ‘Nexus’ has some brilliant guitar throughout. Sounding intense, strained and heavy on the bass the track it’s begging for a stage and played loud. The EP has a post punk 80’s feel to it and the guitars are the star of the show. Some real clever colourful use of the fretboard make for an interesting sounding record. ‘Connexion’ follows in the same vein as ‘Nexus’

Starting like some apocalyptic end to the world, ‘Relics’ has some paranoid guitar playing that skitters and Daniel Blackmore on drums who doesn’t let up with his military precision quick fire rattling. The band sound so tight here and you can’t help but be affected by Samuel Loynes vocal phrasing. He manages to sound calm and steady but with a great melodic sense to the vocal lines.

The band bring in some piano for last track ‘White Light’ before the guitars ratchet up and break the tranquil intro. Rolling drums and percussive guitars create a wave of music allowing Loynes to lay down his steady shoegaze vocals that are at odds to the music but work so well.

With music like this it’s such a welcome return for the band. The EP and the band in fact are something special with the talented guitar work and the vocal style of Loynes. The tracks come close to black metal in places with the heavy guitars, but they come from a punk heart. These guys sound on fire at the moment.

Check out the track ‘Relics’, below