Recluse release their debut studio album Crooked Heart available from 28 October 2011. This is available worldwide from all major download sites.
According to recent reviews Recluse “Produce a heavy, bass filled sound laced with good emotive vocals, which do the well penned lyrics the justice they deserve. The drumming and guitar riffs are fantastic and the varied sound and up and down nature of the songs takes you on several well directed journeys as you listen”
Press
Blazing Minds 'Anhedonia EP' Review
I was lucky to get an email from the singer/guitarist of the band Recluse asking me if I would like to check out their second EP titled Anhedonia, so how could I resist checking out a band I hadn’t heard off and were from Wales ;)
This is their second EP, the long-awaited follow-up to 2008?s ‘Baby Monster’. Anhedonia was recorded over several months throughout the tail end of 2009 at a couple of different studios. the album art is taken from a promo shoot at an abandoned asylum in Talgarth. This album has a favourite track of theirs to play live, Dirty Blonde.
Now I’ve not been one for listening to the Grunge Rock genre, but I do like to dabble in all sorts of musical tastes, so this was going to be interesting for me, so after getting hold of the EP, I threw it on my iTunes and gave it some worthy listens on my trusty iPod…
So it’s now time for my verdict on the five tracks that are on the EP.
The first track “Passing Cars” does seem to have everything you’d want from a track, drums, guitar, good vocals and lyrics, kind of reminds me of The Foo Fighters, so a good start there then ;) The vocals do become stronger as the track runs and I certainly found it to be a track that I could listen to over and over again.
Followed on by “We Could Both Use Someone” this track has a softer sound to the previous track and the bass is quite prominent with a nice flow to it.
“Dirty Blonde” now this is a track not to be messed with and soon as this track came on I cranked up the volume and played it LOUD! It’s the longest track on the EP and it really shows that these guys know what they are doing with some amazing guitar work which reminded of the great Steve Howe, more, more MORE!!!! (Hang on while I play this track a few more times …. hell YEAH!!!!) ;)
Oh, sorry on to the next track “Remain“, after been completely blown away by “Dirty Blonde” my heart was slowed down a tad with another track that just begged for more spins, so it got them and yet again another track that is such a joy to listen to with its simple use of the guys playing some great music.
Finally on to an acoustic version of “Passing Cars” WOW! Simple and precise, a fantastic way to finish an album, not so much going out with a bang, but going out in complete style. I salute you ;)
So after listening to Recluse, I’m now a fan and I think you maybe one too after listening to them, if you would like to know more about Recluse check out their MySpace page and get their brilliant music from BandCamp ;)
RoomThirteen 'Anhedonia EP' Review - Recluse prove again that they are not your average band, 11 out of 13
We at Room Thirteen named Recluse our Band of the Month in February 2010 after the band impressed us with their debut EP, ‘Baby Monster’. Could they reaffirm our view with this new offering?
Well, simply, yes they did.
Featuring four tracks (and an additional acoustic version of opening track ‘Passing Cars’), Recluse prove again that they are not your average indie band.
The EP opens on an upbeat note with ‘Passing Cars’; although it feels as if it’s lacking a bit of “oomph” in places, as the song progresses the strength of the vocals increases, giving it a much-needed kick. Second track ‘We Could Both Use Someone’ introduces a rather groovy rhythmic accompaniment whilst third track ‘Dirty Blonde’ has a great instrumental section that really shows off each of the guys’ individual talents. The guitar solo in particular sent shivers up my spine.
Penultimate track ‘Remain’, so simple yet so full of emotion, was my favourite track of the album, combining a “bare essentials” approach with full-blown heavy instrumentals to accentuate the emotional climaxes to perfection. The acoustic version of ‘Passing Cars’ ends the EP on a subtle note with no grand gestures and no gimmicks; it works wonderfully!
“Anhedonia” has lost the dark atmosphere of “Baby Monsters”, but it is great to see another side to the trio. Great work lads!
www.stereoboard.com.... This EP is diverse and shows real talent
Recluse are an signed Cardiff based three piece alternative rock band. Their latest EP Anhedonia is available for download now.
The group are well known on the Welsh gig circuit and have headlined Barfly Cardiff, le Pub Newport as well as several other smaller UK festivals.
The group produce a heavy, bass filled sound laced with good emotive vocals, which do the well penned lyrics the justice they deserve. The drumming and guitar riffs are fantastic and the varied sound and up and down nature of the songs takes you on several well directed journeys as you listen.
Passing Cars is the first track on the EP and is currently available as a single from the groups Myspace page. www.myspace.com/recluseuk. The heavy metallic guitar melody and scratchy riffs set a steady, noise filled background to the song, kept together with excellent stomping drumming. The guitar and drums work brilliantly together and the vocals are equally as impressive. They stroll through the track, until near the end where they really stretch and strain, before the instruments then pick it up a notch and a lovely deep bass line kicks in for good measure. It is a track that grows and grows musically and vocally. An excellent choice for a single release.
We Could Both Use Someone is less exuberant guitar-wise, but the drumming is again fantastic and the bass, wow, the bass line is great, warm and deep it plods through the track, before heavy riffs play alongside it as the track explodes into a frenzy of rock. The vocals are full of emotion and sung softly, delivering the lyrics brilliantly, before exploding in parts with the guitar and drums at the heavy points throughout the track.
Dirty Blonde is an infectious explosion of bass filled rock noise. Loud and heavy, the bass and drumming fantastic and the riffs awesome. The track is alive and frantic with an immense bass line again. The vocals too are fantastic, delivering another set of well written lyrics with emotion. The instrument solos throughout the track build and build from plodding bass and drums into an explosion of full on head banging noise before calming, slightly again for the vocals which crack and strain with emotion. It is a long track which demonstrates the group’s musical ability brilliantly; the track rises and falls throughout with everything from full on head banging metal music, through to quite beautiful, steady guitar riffs, with the vocals to match. You could be listening to many great rock musicians at any one time here from Led Zeppelin through to AC/DC and everybody in between.
Remain begins with a lovely soft guitar lick, which builds in volume and pace steadily, with the drums, then falls again. This is much softer and the vocals really come into their own. Midway through, the track then shifts its stance once more and hits us with a lovely infectious instrumental which begins a slight lift in the track, as the group rock once more. It is definitely the fantastic range in the vocals which make this track, the emotion and quality on show is exceptional.
The EP ends with an acoustic version of Passing Cars. It shows a completely different side to the group and a lovely warm sound and a fantastic appreciation of melody. The vocals are once again brilliant and the use of backing vocals is also fantastic.
This EP is diverse and shows real talent. It is not just a bombardment of noise, but a show of diverse ability, vocal strength and an ability to rock out, when required. It ticks all the boxes that you want from a rock record and the sound is both unique and fresh. Recluse have avoided the temptation to turn the volume up to full and produce an over heavy record, instead it is an emotive, well structured selection of tracks, which show a great range in ability and an understanding of sound.
Gig Reviewer 'Baby Monster' A pleasure indeed..... a fantastic work of music
The EP opens with 'Come On Over', featuring a hard hitting drum beat before the catchy, yet puncy, guitar riff pushes its way through the barricades. As the riff flows and changes, the smooth, yet grungy, vocals interrupt to bring a fantastic start to the 5 tracks you are ready to hear.
The mood changes as the Baby Monster EP works its way through to the next track, 'Back In The Ground Again'. This has a softer opening to the song, but gets heavier as it progresses.
A few harmonic hits, followed by yet more classic riffs bring you on to 'Lover', the third track, and you start to get a feel for the bands talents of working with different moods. This is full of harmonising guitar, bass and vocal patterns. The bass has a very nice part to play during the chorus of this song and really brings him out of his shell.
The EP is full of fast, rythmic guitar patterns and solos that punch through your head and stick around. The pure meat and noise produced from these three guys are so strong that once they've peirced your head (and ear drums) you can almost feel your mind bleed... it's great!
'Stranger' has an awesome opening also and makes the EP flow into some new realms, still keeping up that ultimate feel that this EP produces. This is no change when we approach the final song on the EP, 'Blue Room'.
This last track does make a change, as we sit back and listen to all the raw musical talent to everyone as they play there four minute instrumental track, filled with different lines of speed and catchiness before it runs out to a nice solid end that makes you want to hear more. - Gary Smith - Photographer, Editor, Writer for GigReviewer.com
RoomThirteen 'Baby Monster' Review - Dark, atmospheric and raw! 10 out of 13
Packed full of dark, intriguing tracks, the band make you sit up and take notice straightaway with great guitar riffs throughout opening track ‘Come on Over’. Second track ‘Back in the Ground Again’ is a raw, no-nonsense rock song whilst ‘Lover’ is slightly softer but still retains the band's signature rough edging. Vocalist Britt Roberts’ voice is soft yet gritty with a powerful raw quality which is particularly sexy in this track! ‘Stranger’ has a very attractive bluesy quality which makes it stand out from the other tracks. The final track, ‘Blue Room’, ends the EP on a high; an entirely instrumental track that shows the world just how talented these guys are! - Sian Smith, 24 Aug 09
Plugged In Magazine, Issue 9
A former Nirvana cover bands band from Pontypridd, reformed and transformed eight years later in mid 2008 to create a straightup balls rock band called Recluse. Sound good? Well, yes, it sounds great! The threepiece have nailed themselves a cracking sound, grinding out some real ‘dude tunes’ in somewhat of a ‘Nirvana meets Led Zepplin’ showdown. “We just love music. We love getting together and doing our own stuff… we need to rock ;-)”
Recluse make very likeable music, something you can pick up and listen to without getting confused. It’s straight up rock ’n’ roll, whilst offering more than its fair share of ‘wow’ and ‘oh yes’ factor moments. “We’re all into late 70s to early 90s rock which is quite balls out. It’s not laden with effects, and it’s something which is straightforward and good to listen to.” Current EP, Baby Monster, offers musical growls and scowls with vigour and venom, whilst laying the smack down with some monster riffs. It’s layered with great musicianship and determined grungy bounce throughout that shows a lot of character and style. “We used to play a lot of pop-rock stuff, but we just kept getting heavier and heavier and most of the older ones just don’t work any more.”
Set opener Come On Over and Back In The Ground Again offer a raucous and racy ride of raw power, and Britt’s gritty vocals are spot on. Lover is a cool and bouncy track with an awesome dirty and grungy riff to intro, before distorted bass kicks in. A new EP out sometime soon will introduce more kicks and slides as new track Passing Cars finds more depth as the cool and flavoursome lead guitar dances between the bounce and determination of the drum and bass.
“The new stuff has a lot more rhythm and there are a lot of changes in the melody and the tempo. There is never a shortage of rock.”
Artist: Recluse Album: Crooked Heart
| Artist Name: | Recluse Album: Crooked Heart |
| First/Last Name: | chris rogers |
| Email address: | chris@habitformedrecords.com |
| Hometown: | Llandrindod wells, Powys, United Kingdom |
| Website: | http://www.myspace.com/recluseuk |
| Style of music: | rock |
| MySpace: | |
| SonicBids: | |
| SoundClick: | |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/recluse.altrock |
| Other: | http://www.recluseuk.co.uk |
| Label Affiliation: | Independent Label |
| Performing Rights Affiliation: | PRS (UNITED KINGDOM) |
| Description: | The pure meat and noise produced from these three guys are so strong that once they've peirced your head (and ear drums) you can almost feel your mind bleed... it's great! |
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