Review: Caudal - Fight, Cry, Fight

Drone Rock Records continue their run of top quality releases with this little beauty from Caudal. The band are a Berlin 'trancepunk' trio (their words) and are comprised of Aidan Baker (from drone legends Nadja amongst others) on guitar, Gareth Sweeney on bass and Felipe Salazar on drums. 'Fight, Cry, Fight' sees the completion of a triptych of albums following on from 'Forever In Another World' (released via Oaken Palace Records) and 'Ascension' (Consouling Sounds), all of which have stunning artwork from Irish artist Eoin Llewellyn. Taking its cue from the motorik rhythms of krautrock and the structure of post-rock 'Fight, Cry, Fight' is a sparkling gem of an album, understated and yet majestic and may just be one of the best that Drone Rock have released!

Following the brief 'Intro' with its sublime guitar and shimmering percussion we are thrown straight into 'Well, I Suppose'. The first thing that strikes you is the Neu! like motorik rhythm. The accompanying guitar is understated and therein lies the power of the track - the interplay of metronomic drums and the gentle post-rock guitar stylings produces something quietly exquisite. 'Divisible' opens with the drums veering towards the tribalistic but they soon settle into something more regular but it is the rich tone of Baker's guitar that hits you..so mellifluous and full as to be luxurious - absolutely beautiful. 'Slope' shakes things up a bit with a throbbing bassline and some warbling electronica running throughout...it has an angular edge to it that sets it apart from the previous tracks. 'Flourish' is a simply amazing track, the CAN like rhythms interspersed with subtle nuances... drones sitting under some kosmische synths that flit between the Berlin school of the seventies and something way more contemporary. The whole track has a vibrancy that is positively infectious. the 'blink and you'll miss it' 'Low Red' picks up on the kosmische theme and runs with it..some lush synths alongside more motorik drums create an atmosphere of tranquility and peace before segueing neatly into 'Sunwashed'. A far more upbeat track that take the now familiar drums and meld them with some sublime post-rock guitar to create something rather special....it is a breathless ride that breaks for air to allow Baker's rich guitar tones to shine through like a beacon in the dark. 'The Blue Meds' is the longest track on the album at over eight minutes and the band use this space to create something almost zen like in its beauty and yet retains a strong post-rock structure....it shimmers and sparkles but has a subtle robustness. 'Duelo' closes the album in some style..the guitar is ramped up to become a whole different beast and there is a fuzzy air of menace that permeates the whole track and threatens to engulf things completely, it swirls around the drums and bass like an angry hurricane but never manages to uproot the very base around which the track is built. A cracking end to a superb album.

This is one of those albums that just keeps on giving and giving....every listen reveals something new, another gem hidden in the undergrowth. It has a quiet dignity and understated grandeur that simply demands that you listen, there are no fuzz-drenched, brain-melting sonic attacks but then it doesn't need them...the mesmeric power of the album lay in the exquisite interplay between the instruments that can, at times, give you butterflies in the stomach such is its beauty. A brilliant album and much credit to Drone Rock Records who, yet again, have thrown out 'genres' and have focused on quality. 'Fight, Cry, Fight' is available in two variants: 150 copies on beer-coloured transparent heavyweight vinyl with red and white splatter effects and a standard edition on beer-colour transparent vinyl. Head over to the webshop here to order.