Brisbane's Planisphere blast off with epic electro/alt-rock EP, 'Fame or Tragedy'
Brisbane-based electro/alt-rock three-piece, Planisphere come rocketing in an independently-released EP, ‘Fame or Tragedy’, featuring electronically-influenced heavy alt-rock tracks that push the envelope of heavy music.
Planisphere draw from many styles to hone in on something truly unique, with broad appeal.
Originally formed in 2018 under the name Canondrome, the then two-piece (Lorcan Coates [guitar,vocals] & Sam Turner [drums]) were focussed on a rawer punk sound reminiscent of early DZ Deathrays & The White Stripes. With the departure of Sam and the addition of Kane Kennedy [drums] & Jai Snelling [synth] the new line-up was ready for a wardrobe change and to pursue the vision of the new heavy, combining elements of rock, metal and electronic music to carve out a signature sound.
‘Fame or Tragedy’ is thick, fuzzy and dangerous, like knocking back tequila shots while wearing your favourite dressing gown. The obvious influences of Death From Above 1979 and DZ Deathrays are there, but throw in Muse’s ‘Simulation Theory’ in to the mix, and it gives a fairly strong indication as to what ‘Fame or Tragedy’ is cooking up. Planisphere lay the effects on heavy; the riffs are intergalactic, the synth layers stratospheric, and the beats bombastic.
Opening track, the instrumental ‘Commander’ makes sure your seat is in the upright position, your seatbelt buckled, and the trays are stowed away, because you’re about to fucking lift off, buddy, straight in to the fuzzy angry cloud of second track, ‘Fury’. You can feel the war paint growing on your skin the further you fly in to this tune. ‘Underneath’ is a blitzkrieg of DFA1979 heavy dance rock riffage, which ejects you into orbit, leaving you float to the sound of ‘Red Eye’ (featuring guest vocals from fellow Bris band, Lost Goat Found’s Morgan Francis), before you come crashing down with the finale of ‘I’m Not Trying to be Mean’, which gives off She Wants Revenge vibes.
‘Fame or Tragedy’ is over way too quick, and you can tell there’s a full concept album just bubbling under the surface, full of sci-fi weirdness, pew pew laser beams, big beats, and fuck-off dirty octaved riffs.
This EP is a bookend in the first chapter of their journey, recorded and mixed by Brock Weston [Bugs]. The songs cover a range of themes from desperation & breaking free of societal expectations to hope, love & fiery individualism.
Keep an eye out for Planisphere, with launches blasting off in July.
‘Fame or Tragedy’ is streaming right now, so feed your earholes some epic tunes from Planisphere via all good digital platforms.
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