When THE Queen B (We’re, of course, talking about My Ruin’s Tairrie B. Murphy) blesses a project then, for us at least, we know it’s something that we need to keep a watchful eye (And obviously ear…) out for. That said, when Call To The Void’s vocalist Jack Osborne appeared on My Ruin’s recent comeback LP (Declaration Of Resistance, on “True Allies”, read our review here) following Tairrie B’s guest spot on CTTV’s take on “A Girl Like You” (More on that one later) then we KNEW this was a an artist we just HAD to check out.
And check out we did, and at the most convenient time with their debut EP The Power Of Intention right around the corner for release. Right off the bat it’s obvious why Tairrie B has championed this band because following a tasty sonic morsel in the form of intro “The Power”, “Resurgence” immediately brings to mind My Ruin, or more accurately, the end of Manhole and early beginnings of Tura Satana before My Ruin was a thing as John McGlade (guitar), John Settle (bass) and Glen Bartholomew (drums) build a riotous lo-fi soundtrack with Osborne sauntering in, slithering like a snake before striking.
That’s actually where the similarities end beyond Mick Murphy (My Ruin, SWTEVL) mastering the effort with “Uncontrollable” sliding into a more definitive Rawk tone with Gothic tendencies and Osborne switching those biting barks for a crooning low end delivery. “Viper’s Venom” really flips the script on this Spooky Alternative Goth Rawk offering that sounds like Brian Molko (Placebo) jamming with Type O Negative followed by “Blow” which is a groovy number with Bartholomew and Settle’s driving rhythm section steadily slamming away while McGlade and Osborne’s respective riffs and vocals swirl about.
Then there’s the Queen B herself, the aforementioned Tairrie B (My Ruin, SWTEVL, Manhole), who lends her intoxicating vocal talent to the CTTV cover of the Edwyn Collins classic “A Girl Like You” (For you kiddies out there, this song was a big hit in the ’90’s and lead single to the soundtrack of music nerd delight Empire Records that also featured one the greatest uses of AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”on film) and spars with Osborne across this ferocious update. “L’appel Du Vide” is a straight up Rawk anthem with Osborne utilizing this Davey Havok-like howl, further showing off his chameleonic voice, as Bartholomew’s drumming relentlessly rumbles and McGlade provides the gnarly shreds with closer “Alive” probably being the song that most resembles Placebo along with echoes of Ville Vallo/HIM revealed in Osborne’s quivering, exposed vocals leading the intro with quiet guitar accompaniment that slowly and subtly builds toward a fiery finale.
The Power Of Intention is out now and you can get your pre-save/order on now by heading here or to the stream below. For more from Call To The Void, hop on the information superhighway and stop off here, here or here.