Kuato

'The Great Upheaval' (album stream)

BY Matthew RitchiePublished Jun 17, 2014

Although they've released a smattering of small releases over on their Bandcamp page from as far back as 2010, Halifax-based post-rock unit Kuato have yet to deliver a formal LP. That is until now, as the band are ready to issue their first-ever full-length via Atlantic indie rock tastemakers Acadian Embassy.

The Great Upheaval won't see its physical release until June 24. While you wait, dig into the band's debut full-length on Exclaim.ca.

Although seemingly inspired by the kind of swelling guitars and cascading reverb usually associated with the UK music scene, according to a press release, the album's title and song names actually refer to "the 18th century expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia" by British forces. As you can guess, the record sounds pretty freaking epic.

Recorded by acclaimed East Coast producer Diego Medina (Jon McKiel, Dusted) at the Old Confidence Lodge in Riverport, NS, the album easily evokes the tumultuous times for which it is named after through the use of seaworthy strums ("Red Sand"), ravenous riffs ("Battle of Bloody Creek") and doom-tinged tracks (the album's titular closer), which are anchored in place through the band's sparkling guitars and underlying Maritime melodies.

Hear for yourself by listening to the seven-song set in the player below. You can also pre-order the album on 12-inch double vinyl, digitally or on CD here.

Tour dates:

07/26 Riverport, NS - The Old Confidence Lodge^
08/04 Kingston, ON - Artel*
08/05 Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge*
  08/06 Kitchener, ON - The Outpost*
08/07 Toronto, ON - The Boat*
08/08 Ottawa, ON - House of Targ*
08/09 Montreal, QC - Drones*
08/15 Moncton, NB - Esquire Tavern*
08/22 Halifax, NS - The Seahorse Tavern*
08/23 Fredericton, NB - The Capital*

^ with INSTRUMENTS
* with Zaum

Latest Coverage