In 2011 Swedish lead singer Elin Larsson, with drummer Cory Berry and bass player Zack Anderson – all just in their early Twenties – formed up with French guitar player Dorian Sorriaux to create Blues Pills – a blues-rock group which may well become one of the most acclaimed and interesting bands of the decade. They have just released their stunning début EP ‘Devil Man’ out now on Nuclear Blast.
Title track ‘Devil Man’ starts with a primeval yowl – and a heavy retch. As if a Valkyrie warrior was sliding down a coarse bannister towards you – with her pants on fire. This siren-sister seems a tad upset about her man. The mantric rhythms and the electric fuzz all add to the feelings of fear, lust, resentment and jealousy.
The next track ‘River’ is slower and more powerful. The healing and cleansing voice of Elin is a mix of the most lament-filled blues you have ever heard … like Valerie June combined with the jazziest extremes of Amy Winehouse. The sounds are as tough as sandpaper on your loose limbs, and as stifling as a gag made of plastic wrap. When the guitars dangerously emerge – like gnarled dryads – from inside their cocoons, they make you tremble in awe.
‘Time Is Now’ is like a throwback to the early days of blues rock – with a volcanic rim full of smoky cry-baby wah-wah. It reminded us of Martin Barre ( Jethro Tull ) – and in particular his superb play on ‘We Used To Know’ from the 1969 ‘Stand Up’ album. There is also an excited buzz about the bass-play – it is as if a beast has nostrilled the scent of his prey – and is about to pounce. It fumes low and it pants. Before boldly sinking its claws into the folds of that lusciously soft voice. If you can imagine “Living Wreck” by Deep Purple (1970) – sung by Janis Joplin – then you get close to what this track sounds like. It’s a little sour – deeply scarred – and the vibrations spear-out towards you like golden rays of destiny.
‘Dig In’ completes this small but perfectly formed coalition of songs. A looser sound than the others, it pivots around the licentious beat. The bright-face lady chants truths into your ear. Lower, she descends. Her tongue fluttering saucily into your inner ear. She speaks a potent truth. But you cannot glimpse it – because you cannot see through the dark haze. The guitar trembles translucently and the bass begins to grumble – and it’s as black as a ravens wing in the night. The finish to this song is a vengeful – twisting, flaring guitar – so scorching that you need to step back to avoid injury. What a number!
I hope and pray that we see a lot more of this band. The spirits have awakened. And now they can not be sated.
8/10
Blues Pills ‘Devil Man’ is out NOW via Nuclear Blast!
Check out Blues Pills talking about their foundation, getting signed to Nuclear Blast and the ongoing retro rock boom:
