The first track of this demo is called 'The Price of Freedom is Eternal
Vigilance', and the band's name is taken from a confusing Japanese Manga
film, two things that on first glance scream the word 'pretentious'. However
one listen to the music they make reveals that Akira are far from a joy-less
trudge through arty references and un-listenable noise. The influences
listed on their website also back this up- while they commendably list Chris
Morris as an inspiration they also find space to include the Karate Kid, and
while the sleeve proudly displays a quote about the universe and violence
that I won't even try to understand, it also bears the legend "to be played
at maximum volume". What's more, the unsigned Cambridge-based band regularly
play in London and put on their own nights where they also DJ. So instead of
pretentious, read ambitious and passionate.
Yes, they may have post-rock leanings but that's meant in the best possible
way, as their sound leans more towards the 'rock' end of things than the
'post'. The vocals veer brilliantly from ethereal beauty to gut wrenching
passion, and the first track ('The Price of Freedom.') features some
impressive guitar-mangling noise, an ever-ascending bass line and a couple
of perfectly realised tempo changes. Track two ('Soho Was Always There for
Me') floats along blissfully in a My Bloody Valentine haze before the
thunder arrives near the end in the form of some serious noise and a whole
lot of screaming. For a three piece they make an epic and inspiring racket,
and on the basis of this single they deserve to be snapped up by a major
label immediately.
