THE ARUSHA ACCORD - NIGHTMARES OF THE OCEAN
 

The first time I heard this band was on myspace a month ago when they sent me an add request. I get so many requests from bands on myspace and I do try to listen to every one. But all I seem to get is the same old stuff, typical metalcore style, drop tuned and with riffs that are so easily related back to their point of influence. I wait in longing for someone to send me something more, something that is pushing music forward and the boundaries of song writing.

The Arusha Accord are that band. From the first time I heard them I was hooked. The track on their myspace, “Death Of Theives”, is an absolute gem and will have you sucked in from the start. That thumping slap bass paired with a drilling double kick just grabs you from the start. They have 2 singers, allowing room for overlaps and harmonised choruses. This also allows the band to do whatever is necessary musically without every having to simplify guitar parts for the need of backing vocals.

There are several bands out there doing this kind of experimental stuff, but this band sound a lot like Sikth, who sadly split up this week. But that is only part of their sound. They also take in long drawn out breakdowns like bands such as Between The Buried and Me and Opeth and also the spasmodic time twisting riffs of bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan and The Number Twelve Looks Like You. But they bring it all together so beautifully and have such a good grasp of song writing, it seems to come easy to them as every song has jaw dropping technical ability thrown in with blissful harmony.

This EP is a fabulous piece of music and if this is what they are doing now, I really can’t wait to hear what their first album will sound like. All I can say is, I want more now!

The start of something special?
 

great review, I couldn't agree more!

this is such a pioneering peice of work from such a young band! its unlike anything ive ever heard before.

the frantic, often ridiculous time signature and rhythm changes are just insane! this is by far the best drum and bass section I've heard in a long time.

i often find that tech bands are just tech for 'techs sake', without ever really progressing anywhere, but this so isnt the case with the arusha accord. everything sounds like it was put there for a reason! the complex arrangements flow so masterfully.

the vocals, a mixture of brutal screaming and wonderful harmonies, are also really accessable, which is clearly no easy task with all the madness going on underneath! each song is actually a 'song', and not just a piece of music that's trying to impress. I really admire that.

you can hear the tool / sikth / dillinger influences yet they sound nothing like any of them. anyone who like's intelligent music will adore this band! i know i do

Re: THE ARUSHA ACCORD - NIGHTMARES OF THE OCEAN
 

I haven't heard this but based onwhat everyone is saying it is a pretty damn good record. So what do you guys think of the Sikth break up news?

Re: THE ARUSHA ACCORD - NIGHTMARES OF THE OCEAN
 

You really should check these guys out. They have a track up on myspace that is well worth the listen.

As for sikth, im gutted. But looking at it, it was easy to see it was gonna crash sooner or later. The loss of two major character defining parts of the band, i.e mikey and justin, just made it near impossible to get that sound again. Plus the fact that most of them now have new band commitments meant that sikth was not really a priority for any of them. Sad really. But at least they are still writing and no matter what they do i think those guys will be able to do something really special.