Every time I brush my teeth just before bed, I always seem to get this inexplicable chill down the back of my neck, the sort of chill that folk would claim involves someone walking over your grave. iLiKETRAiNS are the musical equivalent of late-night dental hygiene - dark and cold, but utterly necessary.
'BEFORETHECURTAiNSCLOSE' is split into two parts, both laced with the reverberations of every funeral held for the last five years and pinned together with the master of ceremony drone of singer Dave. The pounding opening of 'Part 1' bolsters a sparse array of instrumentation, playing off iLT's enviable knack of creating atmosphere - very few bands can convey claustrophobia, murderous intent and disabling paranoia quite as well.
While not the most inventive or original array of sounds are on offer, it's pleasant to see that the five-piece take a glacial post-rock soundscape and spike it with just enough damning intent to maintain an interest and edge-of-seat mystery, setting them apart from the majority of their peers.
Leeds has one of the most exciting scenes in the country right now and iLiKETRAiNS is one of its most promising bands.
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8Colin Roberts's Score