Buzzin Music Blog

Threatmantics – new single

Threatmantics are a three-piece rock band from Cardiff, consisting of guitar, drums, keyboard and viola. On their new single ‘Big Man’ they create a rampaging three-minute rock song out of their limited line-up (just guitar, drums, keyboard and vocals on this song).

‘Big Man’ opens with a simple stomping drum beat and limited keyboards, this probably being because they are played simultaneously by the same person. The Interpol-esque  guitar line that follows is simple and complements frontman Heddwyn Davies’ distorted voice. This simplicity gives the whole recording a lo-fi Strokes feel to it, and the way the arrangement is so stripped-back and the notes occasionally out of tune makes it even more garage band.

The way Davies screeches the lyric “It takes a big man to break a young girl’s heart” in the rocking chorus is sinister and signals a return to those raw, primitive rock songs about love, betrayal and jealousy. This is a great taster for Threatmantics’ upcoming LP ‘Upbeat Love’, which actually improves on this single, featuring the mellowing addition of the viola.

‘Big Man’ by Threatmantics is released on Double Six records on 7” vinyl and as a digital download. Check them out at www.myspace.com/threatmantics for a taste of their other stuff.