Chicago, Illinois-based THEYRGY formed in February 2018 by John Doyle (vocals, drums programming), John E. Bomher (guitars), Michael Fabiano (synths) and Tony Hooper (bass, synths). They draw inspiration from post-punk, industrial, and shoegaze artists, the band’s music aims to radiate light from within the dark spaces resonating inside and outside the listener.
They have a five track EP “Exit Strategies” which gives a flavour of what they have to offer. The opening is a little over a minute in length called `Intro` and really is just a cacophony of distorted sounds. The first real number of substance is `Crack Of an Egg`, a thumping beat, synth tinges with hypnotic vocals that had me in mind at times of Underworld`s `Born Slippy` as the song title was repeated throughout. The song enjoys a much heavier sound two thirds of the way through.
`Dreamcatcher` builds with remotely shared vocals as the drumming becomes the real back bone with some guttural guitar riffs. The line “you`ve got me hanging by a thread” seemed to get into my subconscious long after the track concluded.
The band relate that `Walk Away` on the surface focuses on a fictional, sociopathic cannibalistic killer, but it is designed as commentary on our fascination with true crime and the eerie ability to just walk away. Although the subject matter is a little uncomfortable there`s a real upbeat charm about this dream like offering.
The final piece `Hiding Your Face In The Wall` was inspired by the mysterious death of Netta Fornario who, in August of 1929, arrived at the Scottish island of Iona, in the Inner Hebrides, a sacred place for the ancient Celts and early Christians alike to conduct some deep healing and to study Green Ray Elementals. Netta was a member of the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega, an offshoot of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Founded by the famous occultist Aleister Crowley), Sadly, Netta`s body was found naked in a black cloak, in the middle of a farmer’s field, covered with scratches on her feet with a knife nearby and a cross cut into the hillside. The death remains unexplained to this day. The music accompaniment has some really warped sounds and strident vocals and deviates from rock guitar and drum to more synth like splurges. A quite unnerving backdrop with which the bizarre sounds seem to honour this tale of a long unsolved mystery.
It took a few listens to really appreciate THEYRGY and their post punk, electronic almost industrial rock sound. Their influences would seem to include bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Ministry and Joy Division but have their own stamp. This is a really worthwhile listen and no better an introduction to a band I hadn`t heard before. I`ll certainly be looking forward to their debut album on the strength of this release.
Rating 8.5 / 10
