For domestic (Croatian) independent scene (if such
a thing could be called a scene at all), overcrowded with desoriented punk bands,
cloned nu-metal pains in the ass, with a few whiney indie bands, release of high
quality noise album is a real little refreshment. [mandelbrot set] is a noisy
quartet whose intensive efforts in form of gigging and promotion have finally
resulted with LP release. Selftitled debut brings us noise rock on the trail of
combination of Scratch Acid, Shellac and Sonic Youth. Those who are unused to
such sort of music could while listening conclude that it's all about noise and
nothing more, but putting a bit of effort will result in discovery of inventive,
worked through, well played guitar parts and their constant outwitting with rhythm
section. Minor lacks are primarily of production nature and they refer to vocals
at times vanishing unable to "fight" the other instruments. [mandelbrot
set] is definitely not a first-time-hear favourite but admirers of good noise
will be able to recognize a praiseworthy product. It hardly began playing and I was already taken by the first line. Something
like "SFOR men on LSD they wait for me they'll take my love"... WTF?
This won't be regular stuff, oh no. Some really fucked up, sick and depressive
lyrics thumbs up! Words aren't numerous and they're simple, but the music
passes them nicely and they make a very efficient attack on brain when in duet.
Noisy psychedelia galore. Music
In their own words they have no models and
their music is without outer influences. I'm not sure, it's a weird gang. They
sound like they have been built on something like Killdozer meets Alice Donut
but that is nothing more than a guideline, their sound is personal and pattern-free,
it's a thing grand to listen, but hard to describe. Anyway, 12 well recorded
and produced tracks, one excessively sick noise session a good job by Carpe
Diem! done in only three days of recording(
) I really like the musical concept, and the sleeve is also cool. I'm really
glad that you are our (Croatian) band. And what I suggest right now is that
you should make yourself new Croatian noise-rock hopes. The first time I listened
to it, the first track was great, and then, each new track seemed similar to
it, but not boring at all. Also, somewhere in the middle of the album there
was a song with riff that sounded a lot like common rock. But, music went to
your own style again and that was very cool. All the time I was waiting for
some riff to punch me the way I like surprisingly, emotionally and secretly
some great noise-rock riff. OK, I expected too much from first listening and
I realized that. So, I sat down and started listening all over again 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 times. My image of the album has become clearer, I realized many more things
than after the first listening and I liked it much more, and more and more now.
Lyrics are cool, music is complex and very cool, and compact too. Even the production
is good, but I am a little bit sorry that the drums aren't a little bit clearer
and vocals a little bit louder. Basically, this is a superb image for debut
and you are good players. And also there are these riffs that punch me as I
like (and not many bands can do this to me with all of tracks on LP). At moments
it reminds me even of Zeni Geva and of one great British band Bilge Pump I
discovered recently, but on the other hand, you have your own style, very different
if compared to those bands', and that is great. At moments I just feel something
of those bands' power in you and vise versa. Anyway, I like it and enjoy playing
it. You set it up well and I believe that it is of musical and style quality
high enough for making your important move. As far as I know there is a crowd
in Croatia hungry for good noise.
- Zoran Baljak, Novi List
- Marijan Dumaneia, www.finte.net
- Ivica 'Ico' Kosavic; AKA Razorblade Jr., Gone Bald