It’s been a trying few years for this LA post-punk/proto-goth outfit, the band unable to capitalise on the momentum of their acclaimed second album, Old World New Wave, and a US tour with Ghost due to drummer Kelly Johnston-Gibson suffering serious injury. Saviours’ Scott Batiste was brought onboard, the band later expanding to a four-piece with the addition of bassist Adam Murray, allowing founder Sera Timms to focus solely on a dominant and fertile baritone that, as on energetic opener Mother Kiev, frequently functions as counterpoint to songwriter J Bennet’s choppy, high-energy guitar. The record feels loose, spacious – each song a variation on their haunting aesthetic, from the spitefully spellbinding The Dancer to the glittering, new wave seduction of She Has A Secret. Each track on Women explores a different aspect of its self-evident theme: not quite metal, not quite punk, not quite anything but a law unto itself, proving that the fecundity of the underground relies upon such unique and captivating expressions of diversity.
Ides Of Gemini - Women album review
LA’s spectral experimentalists slip once more between the cracks
You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.
More about metal hammer
