Entirely Instrumental, Immersive and Bristolian: Bellatrix Y Ori.
Bellatrix Y Ori – Bristol, England, United Kingdom.
The Bristol based Bellatrix Y Ori describe themselves and their operation as thus: ‘We formed specifically to record in the studio so I suppose we’re doing things a bit backwards’.
To admit such a thing is respectable and I would say personally, that said path is well suited to the form of artistic expression chosen by Bellatrix Y Ori. The band have recently released their debut recording in the form of a three-track EP entitled Tabula Rasa and its not quite what you’d expect in some ways when you read of Progressive Rock, Post-Rock and Math Rock.
The aforementioned words not only conjure what could be described as pretentious language – with the way I am writing this as an example – but also releases that despite limited individual songs, to be blunt, don’t-half go on a bit.
With this EP though, you don’t get that. The longest track clocks-in at 4:11 and the shortest at 3:51. The progressive nature of the release takes cues from more than one genre at any one time, with strong Jazz, Funk, Punk and Post-Rock overtones in the opening notes of ‘Awkward Dancing’. Later on a Math-Rock lead trickles you into further Post-Rock calm as the track progresses with guitar work that echoes the work of John Frusciante.
‘Feign Life’ makes use of both brass and keys, adding to this progressive ensemble that still very much embodies the Prog-Rock of the previous but also the rhythmic drive of Post-Rock, albeit micro-managed and condensed and plied with the nerdy influence of Math-Rock.
‘Feign Life’ is sees the band at their most foreboding and most playful interchangeably in a track that hints at heavier things to come.
The thick riffs and bass-lines of ‘Esquilax’ continue this blatant teasing and see Bellatrix Y Ori at their most simplistic and most abrasive for the most part. For example, if this was a Punk release, this would be the Hardcore track.
This “aggression” subsides at the mid-point almost in reflection of its rage, leading on to a fluttering but almost haunting crescendo lead that itself soon subsides as the rage builds once more.
The real strength of this track and the band in general is both its relatively short duration and its simplicity. Bellatrix Y Ori can do complicated but they can also compose something that is more stripped down within the vein of their chosen progressive direction. My advice? Keep an eye on them.
Find the band below:
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