Damn Arms - 'Patterns EP' (Something In Construction) Released 20/11/06

Until they deservedly get more exposure, just why Damn Arms aren’t commanding more attention from the record buying public will remain a mystery to us. As ‘Patterns’ EP perfectly proves, the Sydney four piece concoct an essential electro punk din that should be making infinitely more ears bleed around the globe. Opener ‘Test Pattern’ is a glorious fusion of retrogressive synth noises, blistering melodies and obligatory yelps and tees things up nicely. ‘I Sink, Therefore I Swam’ continues in a similar vein, before we’re confronted with the hardcore racket of ‘Please Pass Me My Antibiotics’ - previously only available as a rare vinyl, it forms the backbone and menace of the package. Next, ‘Quit Hushing My Buzz’ sound like The Rapture after they’ve rediscovered their music mojo, while the crashing ‘Cormorant’ provides a deluge of meaty bass lines. Pretty essential stuff, then.