Lullabye Arkestra

Five years of blood, sweat and more blood have passed and Toronto’s Lullabye Arkestra finally unearth their debut album proper for the Constellation institution. In the time it took for drummer/vocalist Justin Small and bassist/vocalist Katia Taylor to assemble the pieces that formulate Ampgrave, they’ve recruited a part-time army featuring many friends as well as members of Small’s other outlet — instrumental space rock stalwarts Do Make Say Think. Needless to say, it’s been a long time coming and Ampgrave not only fulfils its promise, but it also grabs it by the throat, gives it a farewell kiss, and then bludgeons it to death with a mace. "Unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” initiates the proceedings like a mouse trap, as it soothing lures you in with synths and strings, only to snap down on you with a fury of doom, courtesy of guitar fuzz, pounding skins and an angry mob. From there the duo spread both love and bile, mixing up a cocktail that’s one shot of metallic aggression, another shot of sexed-up rock’n’roll, and a glass full of fervent soul. Small and Taylor spread the love throughout like a transmittable airborne virus, dragging power chords across the burning R&B of "Hold On,” while evoking the sleazy affection of Royal Trux on the intimidating "Bulldozer of Love.” "Nation of Two” is their most intimate moment, as well as their heaviest, as they pound through two minutes of sweltering hardcore. They can also orchestrate one fine orgy, judging by the brass, stringed and choral assistance that fall in and out of the album’s bulk, adding both crushing and lovely accents to the farewell congregation of closer, "Ass Worship.” Fuck yeah, gimme a hallelujah.