Envy - 'Insomniac Daze' (Rock Action) Released 24/07/06

Japanese prog hardcore outfit Envy have been around for nearly 15 years and have been a relatively underground phenomenon until now. Signed to Mogwai’s label Rock Action it is plain to see why the Scottish assembly have taken this band under their wings so hastily. Envy’s melancholy instrumental skill is akin to Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky and even Trail Of Dead yet mixed with the vocals of say - Underoath, 36 Crazy Fists or even Rise Against. Angst ridden larynx bursting vocals sung in the band’s native Japanese may not sound like your cup of tea if you are into the aforementioned progressive bands, but somehow it makes all that sorrow and emotion built up by instrumentals come across all that more cutting.

Opener ‘Further Ahead Of Warp’ kicks off their 7 track sonic boom with the most uplifting guitar wall of sound you will probably ever hear, a cliché comment yes, but seriously good guitar atmospherics will make any person feel as if they were ten feet tall and invincible. A swift indication of where Envy are heading with their latest offering – lulls before many storms. Fukagawa’s vocals are on form whether he is singing you sweet nothings or making your ears bleed with urgent screams. Highlight tracks come in the form of ‘Crystallize’ and ‘Scene’ with their Sigur Ros-esque demeanour that is beautiful one minute with sweetly soft vocals lapping against music that aches a violent undercurrent, only to explode in token Envy style theatrics.

Obviously they have their own way of attacking song structures, one minute gentle the next corrosive and anxious, unsettling if you will, making it difficult to relax or slip into a groove with this band-something that may be to the dismay of those who were looking for another Explosions In The Sky rip off band. ‘The Unknown Glow’ is one of those tracks that will blow up your stereo, and certainly a highlight-deathly quiet for the first five minutes as lucid imagery through sound is experimented with only to build up to a chaotic conclusion, that comes out of nowhere like a fighter jet powered on sound. Much is the same with ‘Night In Winter’ although the tension is eased up for a moment or two as this is by far their most elegant song to date as the vocals are kept to a minimum and the musicians indulge themselves on ever more moody intensities encapsulating the unpredictability of this band who constantly keep the listener on their toes, for fear of bursting an ear drum.

Envy have released an album that will surely garner new fans as their sound, although not completely removed from their label buddies Mogwai, is something to be checked out as their angst fuelled vocals over the top of beautifully composed soft progressions is a recipe for success, and with the skills to back it up and the songs to fall back on, Envy move away from those who would label them as Sigur Ros with a dude screaming in the background.