Review
HOLY STATE – ELECTRIC PICTURE PALACE
Released 30th April 2012 (Brew Records)
Words: Tom Willmott
It appears that for reasons best known to themselves Holy State’s debut album will also be their last. The Norwich four piece, who embarked on an arena tour with Biffy Clyro, recently decided they were calling it a day, thus leaving this collection of 12 tracks as their defining legacy.
As far as their sound goes, they sit comfortably between early 90s post-hardcore and lo-fi indie rock, so comparisons with the likes of Hot Snakes and At The Drive In are most telling here. But there’s much more to enjoy – like the urgent and fast- paced “Dial M For Monolith” and “Medicine Hat”, alongside the inclusion of a great brass opening on “Brain Caves”. The light grunge tones in “Dreamboat” are also a highlight, as well the Les Say Fav-esque “Solid State Messiah”.
Overall, this is a decent sounding record, and it’s just a shame they won’t be following it anytime soon (or ever). Whatever future projects they may be invlolved in, they’re certainly worth keeping an eye out for. The band have one final tour planned around May, so for those who have considered seeing them in the past, now really is the time to act!
