This week we are really featuring two Ottawa-based artists and their collaboration on a newly released split album: Jon Creeden and the Flying Hellfish AND BenevenStanciano. The album features four songs by the Flying Hellfish and four by BenevenStanciano. Overall the album’s production is raw, crisp, and a well balanced mix between often competing roaring vocals and distorted guitar. These bands are a well made pairing for a split LP as are similar in sound, but stylistically different making for a coherent, well-rounded album that showcases each band’s complementary, yet distinct character. Ottawa music scene mainstay Jon Creeden is no stranger to the split album, working with artists like Farler’s Fury and Jesse LeBourdais in the past, though this debut work with the Flying Hellfish is a discrete turn from folk to punk.
Featuring introspective lyrics about the uncertainties, challenges, and protests to the workaday life, the Flying Hellfish’s music is aggressive and extremely catchy all while cultivating a cohesive, full sound. “Is It Worth It” and “Killing Time” both feature the Flying Hellfish’s signature catchy choruses that you can’t help shout along with.
Loving “Liminal,” bass and vocal driven, the song slowly builds intensity while maintaining interest through contour and managing to sustain the drive of the song throughout. The band’s musicianship really shines through here, a great closing to their half of the album.
BenevenStanciano’s corrugated vocals easily break through the distorted, melodic guitar lines, crunchy bass, and driving drums. The band is adept at tight melodic riffing and arrangements, each instrument is independent but maintains conversation with the others. One thing I really love about this band is that they’re able to incorporate a lot of space into their songs while maintaining propulsive energy, as heard on “Sweeping Up.”
For $15 you can get out of the cold and into Bar Robo to see the show AND a leave with a copy of the LP. These things usually have limited print runs, so get one while you can! Show starts at 8 pm.
Jon Creeden and the Flying Hellfish: https://www.facebook.com/pg/joncreedenmusic/
BenevenStanciano: https://www.facebook.com/pg/benevenstancianomusic/
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