ARMS OF TRIPOLI

They are making a mystery from their history. Whatever, ARMS OF TRIPOLI are clearly rooted in Post Rock, that's for sure. Though actually coming from the more charming melodic, yeah, even melancholic side of this genre. The quartet is based out of the Los Angeles area, and they already have had produced some albums in the past, all released on the Fluttery Records label. This is their newest from 2020, which immediately started a fire and went on my attention list when getting in touch. 'One Way Plastic' consists of five tracks with a total length of 33 minutes. EP or full-fledged album? What's correct in the end? Less is more, one may say, simple truth often enough. Anyway, what you will get emerges to a winner.

Post rock comes guitar driven by nature, that means a standard rock fare, including bass and drums of course. Some rare vibraphone and keyboard impressions are delivered anyhow. No pseudo recreations here! Carving out a niche concerning this genre they are offering well-elaborated instrumental music, an almost perfect ambiance to the prog community. They are definitely skillful in playing with tension and atmosphere. The compositions are convincing me all over. She's Onion shows a proper groove, very sensitive flow on Nude Hawaii. Amazing, a completely rounded album, with the final Lander seeing them on the creative peak, eh ... at least when it comes to this album.

Another terrific persuasion has come out to us. A Californian combo Arms of Tripoli, hailing from Los Angeles in 2011, finally released their latest ep titled "One Way Plastic" in July 2020 via Fluttery Records. Luckily the label's recommended them with the album for me a while before, and their 33 minute show upon the ep completely knocked me out, honest to say. Their post-rock / post-metal sound verdicts based upon strict, precise rhythmic turf are not monotonous but full of vitality and vivacity, amongst lots of post / stoner acts. Forgive me digressing but I've had kinda similar impression when I met a bottle of superbly matured Islay malt whisky. Just an off-topic though.

Anyway let me go back to reviewing ... Firstly let me suggest the last longest track "Lander", maybe their masterpiece. Atmospheric darkness based, repetitive phrases filled with drowsy shoegaze guitar chanting are crazy good. Although a quick listen might give you inorganic, monotonous impression, the whole track is pretty diverse and kaleidoscopic. Not only metallic expression but mellow, hallucinogenic aspects can be heard here and there. The first shot "Edwards Edward" is a killer. As the track goes ahead, their play gets more and more powerful and explosive. Fantastic is their melody line flavoured with melancholic, tragic polarity regardless of loud distortion of the guitar. The following one "Pseudo Recreations" is a colourful one. In the beginning are rhythmical acceptable sound tensions, whilst the middle part has downtempo underground-ie drone movements. And the compilation of their sound vision blooms eventually in the latter phase. Such a musical development like this would be your pleasure. "She's Onion" is another deep heaviness. Not sure what the title means but I guess it means an appearance that onion pieces overlap each other and the core is mysterious? The content sounds likewise obviously with their strong intention, at least for me. My fave "Nude Hawaii" is the shortest in this album but a tremendously serious slow ballad.

Thanks to Taner of Fluttery for such a brilliant recommendation. I feel quite happy to come across such an excellent stuff.