Punk is a pretty overused word to describe bands these days. It can veer from Fugazi to Sex Pistols to Blink 182 which is a fairly wide net to cast. Talons come stumbling and crawling on bloodied knees from the Sydney ‘Punk’ scene with their debut self titled album and they are definitely punk, the type that is uncompromising, raw, real and intense.

As a three piece they conjure a fierce sound that reaches beyond a trio of instruments and voices. The guitars are definitely of the post-hardcore variety with Christian J Best using discordant slashing chords and measured sloppiness that was almost perfected by the mighty Fugazi. The drums are big and bold in the way that Dave Grohl played while the bass has a Jesus Lizard rumble that suggests a menace unseen.

Words are hard to decipher across much of the album but with title like ‘Dazzling Metallic Stallions’ and ‘Frankenpanther’ it is clear young minds are at work, ones focused on matter over mind, mood over deep emotional subtexts. Best’s vocals alternate between a bratty yelp learnt from Craig Nicholls and prior to that Mr Cobain. After a few listens a sense of vocal control emerges. It isn’t all screams of anguish, there is a range of emotion that he uses exceptionally well to build tension and convey chaos.

‘Keys & Codes’ is a real clue as to where these guys fit in, somewhere between Witch Hats, Die Die Die and Violent Soho. Anger management is the art at work here and they fill the song with instrumental and lyrical bile that burns through the speakers without never fully igniting. The songs have been arranged with a clever eye for structure and enough sonic control to ensure they slip through the cracks of garage rock, metal and hardcore, never settling into one realm too long.

Live is where a band like Talons should excel so your instructions are to catch them on their upcoming tour (dates below). If they can translate the level of playing from vinyl to stage they will be a truly ferocious sight to behold and the kind of band that can generate a real buzz. That feeling of being swept off your feet that is often too rare these days.

Talons is out now through Rice is Nice

TOUR DATES

18 June Karova Lounge w/Regular John Ballarat,VIC

19 June Ding Dong Lounge w/Regular John Melbourne,VIC

20 June Enigma Bar w/Regular John Adelaide,SA

25 June Oxford Tavern w/Regular John Wollongong,NSW

26 June Oxford Arts Factory w/Regular John Sydney,NSW

27 June Hamilton Stat. Hotel w/Regular John Islington, NSW

2 July Coolangatta Hotel w/Regular John Coolangatta, QLD

3 July The Step Inn w/Regular John Fortitude Valley, QLD

4 July Great Northern Hotel w/Regular John Byron Bay, NSW

8 July Beach Road Hotel w/Regular John Sydney, NSW

10 July Sodens w/Regular John Albury, NSW

11 July The Area Hotel w/Regular John Griffith, NSW

17 July Mona Vale Hotel w/Regular John Mona Vale, NSW