Parrilla are a UK act, but a new one on me. They’re billed as being within the wide-ranging “industrial” sphere, and there are definitely samples a-plenty throughout the six-song EP that I have in front of me. Femme Fatale is the first of three EPs to be released by the band in fairly quick succession so let’s see what it’s like.
A key word that comes to mind going through the whole thing is “abrasive”. They’re definitely a metal band at heart, with some harsh riffs and vocals to match. All the lilting background synths in the world can’t take away from the off-kilter and punishing beats that erupt in each track. The drums are quite trebly, with parade-ground snares which adds to this sensation.
“Law of Texas” is a great start to the EP and probably the most accessible along with the title track which comes in at the end. Plenty of effects are present, but it’s the “simplest” in of being more like a mainstream metal song with a bunch of add-ons. It’s also got a crushing chorus, as heavy as any mainstream metal song I’ve heard.
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Jumping to the title track, song number six, we have a more up-tempo number with a more obvious electronic drive which fizzes along in the background. Within the bounds of the album, you won’t find two tracks more dissimilar and it comes across more like an 80s synth rock number. This isn’t a bad thing at all, and shows the diversity in Parrilla’s sound.
Wrapped up between these two bookends are four songs which mix the metal and industrial components in varying measures. “Bleed, Cry, Pray, Die” is creepy and haunting, “Desire” has more of a punk attitude, “Show Me” goes for the slow and heavy approach, and lead single “Mannequin Complex”… well, scroll down and listen to that one for yourselves!
An interesting collection of songs, and a side to the genre I’ve not really heard before. It’ll be interesting to hear where the next two EPs take us.
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Femme Fatale: Ensnared By Venus is out on July 30th
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