DIN MARTIN – SINGLE REVIEW

DIN Martin - The Second Before You Faint

DIN Martin – The Second Before You Faint

I seem to be getting a lot of what is called ‘Shoe Gaze’ at the moment and, as far as I can tell, this is just lazy promotion on the part of the bands. Then again, bands peddling introspective, thoughtful and quietly powerful music are probably the last ones that would shout about the quality of their output. That’s my job. ‘The Second Before You Faint’ is the debut single from Leipzig quartet and it is a multi-layered thing of beauty that reveals more of itself with each listen. The first layer that drew me in was the loose yet precise drumming of Martin Zickenrott that is like a band of wild horses pounding industriously through a bleak landscape of strung-out guitars and rumbling basslines. The next layer is the clipped and almost emotionless vocal of Martin Hommel singing like a serial killer enjoying the final struggle of his prey a little too much. Delve a little deeper and it’s the outstanding atmosphere that the band create that strikes you next as they explore the areas too dark for Interpol, too melodic for At The Drive-In and too direct for Arcade Fire. And then, just when you think that’s it, they go and add on the layer of guest vocalist Alison Garner’s breathy vocal like an Indie damsel in distress. Garner, who is normally seen appearing with Bristolians The Fauns, adds a wonderfully otherworldly quality to this tune with her virtually whispered vocals which is bitter and sweet in equal measure. Call it shoegaze if you wish. Call it post-rock if you must. I just call it beautiful, poetic and emotive music. No genre required. Catch them on their forthcoming UK tour if you can but certainly check out their music online and watch the ever so slightly disturbing video for ‘The Second Before You Faint’ on Youtube.


Live Dates:
20th March – Dazzle Dance Club, Berlin
22nd March – Watershed, Milton Keynes
23rd March – The Good Ship, Kilburn, London
24th March – Soundhouse, Leicester
25th March – The Croft, Bristol
26th March – The Adam & Eve, Birmingham
27th March – Weston-Super-Mare College

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