Treedeon-Under the Manchineel-Exile On Mainstream Records, 2017

 

Under the Manchineel is not the most recent Treedeon release, but it's the one that Disaster Amnesiac has been able so scour up from within the rich and varied churn of the independent music scene. Churn is a great word to be used in close proximity to Treedeon. The group indeed churns up these gigantic riff forms, hanging out within their spaces of satisfyingly lengthy duration. 

The listener can ride along on the forms presented on Under the Manchineel, and drummer Andy Schunemann gives a lot of impetus for them to do so. Physicality is the key operative within Andy's style, for sure, but multiple plays of the record show a brain-ey side on Breathing a vein and Wasicu. One can headbang or 'bop along with this drummer, no doubt about it, but there are also these cool musical counts for access too. Serious quality drumming, engineered in ways that allow it to shine as such. 

Right, back to the riffs. Arne Heesch on guitar and Yvonne Ducksworth on bass keep apace with each other as the riffs translate into song, hear No Hell for evidence of this. Having been a fan of the latter's singing work in Jingo De Lunch, Disaster Amnesiac is happy to hear her picking up an axe for new musical formations. Nice fuzz on Manchineel! Heesch does not bother with guitar solos generally, instead pouring all of his six string ideas out into the sound world, wrapping barbed wire whips around that fuzz. These two also trade off vocals from song to song, a strategy which can really help when a band's subject matter can be evidence of having anger about such subjects, on album opener Cheetoh for example.  Arne's lines are of a harder edge, while Yvonne's tend to the more abstract. The vocal trade off and the contrasting lyrical styles are intriguing and to be saluted methinks. 

The proceedings close with Wasicu, over ten minutes of larghissimo, a track that I'd imagine has double the impact within a live setting. Treedeon most likely slay therein, whichever of their tunes they've decided upon.  

Under the Manchineel will have to suffice for this listener as regards Treedeon for a minute; still, I look forward to hearing or seeing more from this powerful group of German Rock veterans.