Ötzi - Part Time Punks Sessions
Oakland, California’s dark post-punk mistresses of sonic advantage – Ötzi – recently released a new EP, entitled Part Time Punks Sessions on the Psychic Eye and Near Dark record labels.
Ötzi
Comprised of Akiko Sampson (vocals, bass), Gina Marie (drums, vocals), and K. Dylan Edrich (guitar), Ötzi got together in 2014. Since then, the band has toured extensively, sharing the stage with the Chameleons, Pink Turns Blue, Deerhoof, Modern English, Kommunity FK, 13th Chime, Zounds, Screaming Dead, and The Iconoclast.
In 2016, released their EP, Gong Show, followed by their debut album, Ghosts, a year later.
Ötzi just returned from their European Superstition Tour, performing in 14 cities, as well as Wroclaw, Poland’s Return to the Batcave Festival. The band is currently working on their second album, slated to drop in late 2019.
Renowned for their galvanizing live performances, Ötzi’s sound amalgamates intricate songwriting, along with both lingering and ferocious rhythms propelling hefty layered guitars topped by twin meshing voices.
To say Ötzi turns it on, winds it up, and lets it loose is an understatement. This band absolutely shreds the atmospheric fabric.
The first track, “Ballad of Oiwa,” opens on deep dark tones, followed by a wickedly glowering guitar exuding searing tones. Sampson’s voice, simultaneously dreamy and ominous, radiates tight grimacing colors attended by sepulchral timbres. Femme fatale projection and dripping malice compose a potent vocal concoction that’s nonpareil.
“Charms” rides scorching, dirty guitars full of beau coup punk flavors. Riot grrrl-laced vocals imbue the lyrics with sneering, volatile textures, as the drums pound relentlessly.
“Casting shadows on my grave / I caught shivers / Holding on to my breath / I won't lose my soul / Where the wanderers rest.”
“Winter” opens on a groove vaguely reminiscent of The Cure, only more intense, as the squalling, strident guitar suffuses snarling colors. A fat, slapping bass line gives the tune muscular impetus, as almost chanting background vocals gild the Cruella de Vil lead voice. This track reeks of seething nuclear powered frissons.
“Drought” opens on cavernous hues flowing into a pummeling rhythm supporting a glaring guitar and fast-lane throbs from the bass. This song is simultaneously dissonant and infectious as all get-out, providing a sonic thrill ride of surging momentum and ripping colors, like a hypertrophic version of Siouxsie and the Banshees./
To say Ötzi turns it on, winds it up, and lets it loose is an understatement. This band absolutely shreds the atmospheric fabric.
