I'm sorry, but I don't 'get' this at all. And None Of Them Knew They Were Robots are one of the best up and coming UK bands around, with the Leeds boys providing some of the most intricate emo moments this side of the Atlantic. But for some odd reason they've ditched the cleverness and released 'Liebestod' a record in homage to the DC hardcore scene and bands like Minor Threat. Except it's all pretty tuneless stuff, paying far too close attention to their peers to stand out.
'Liebestod' is the German word for 'life and death' and conveys directly how the two words are inextricably linked. The band take on this theme for the length of the 15-minute EP, covering eight tracks of screaming hardcore which batters, bruises and bloodies up everything in its path. And if you're a big fan of that kind of thing then you'll probably love this. But I'm not and there's nothing here which grabs me by the bollocks. I much prefer the quieter, more soothing Robots sound that many of you will already have become familiar with.
'Selfish Fate' takes no prisoners, screaming and battering its way through just 80 seconds of riff heavy hardcore. 'Pinned Down And Under Fire' is much better, more disjointed and raw with vocalist Kev really spitting blood. Everything is pretty distinguishable too, it doesn't sound too messy like the previous track. 'Time To Heal' is more of the same, same tone, same breakdowns and same screams, while 'Beautiful Lives' runs through a 45-second instrumental before Kev unleashes again. It's different and it sounds all the better for it.
ANOTKTWR's cover of the Minor Threat classic 'No Reason' rocks like a bastard and is probably the best song here, a shame bearing in mind it is a cover. 'And Still We Fall' features some singing (at last) and is definitely all the better for it. Again the various musical parts are separate and listenable and the whole thing comes together nicely. Heavy when neccessary, moody throughout, this is a song that mixes both the band's hardcore edge with their dynamic rhythms and comes out well. Canvas' John Sutcliffe lends a vocal hand on 'Drifted Driver', which drives its way through exactly 100 seconds of riffage, before 'Pleased To Leave With Grace' ends the EP with the sonic equivalent of a Mike Tyson uppercut.
The artwork however is absolutely fantastic however, with a wonderfully designed and packaged fold-out case, something that has become a feature of IATDE releases. But alas I would not recommend this as a starting point for anyone wishing to become acquainted with ANOTKTWR, mainly because they have far better material out there already. But for fans or completists I'm sure this will be worth your hard earned pennies.
Paul
