Saint Agnes
Bloodsuckers – Spinefarm
Music should inspire, entertain and even be just a little bit scary at times. The latter is something of a Saint Agnes motto if ‘Bloodsuckers’ is anything to go by. It reminds you of a time when parents would tut tut at the more extreme acts their precious offspring were listening to, and that’s a good thing. Led like a horror movie doll by Kitty Austen this fine set of songs melds all the primary parts of alternative music into something that is both furious and melodic. There’s a garage feel about the production which keeps the whole thing grounded, even you could say undergrounded at times. It’s an almost tactile record where the texture of what you are hearing invades every sense you have. You don’t so much hear it, you experience it. It’s less a heavy record too (actually it is quite heavy in places), but more an agile one. Even the grunge undertones sound like they’re ready to pounce. Austen’s vocals have a riot grrrl edge that just adds to the overall effect. You get anger and anguish in equal parts from the lyrics. ‘Bloodsuckers’ has just marked Saint Agnes out as a band you need in your life right now.
Review by Gary Trueman