Vancouver’s Sektion Tyrants dives into the depths of electronic post-punk, echoing the esteemed UK bands of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Fronted by Steve Ferreira and augmented by Caleb Blagdon of Weird Candle fame (with work from additional guitarist Jeffrey McCloy), the band crafts a sound that bridges bygone brilliance with present-day panache.
Their long-awaited debut LP, Love & Suffer, delivers a dizzying dance of dynamic and desolate synths, igniting a frantic feeling that pulses with infectious guitar hooks. Ferreira’s raw, raucous vocals slice through the mix, adding a gritty edge. Love & Suffer skillfully plays across a range of topics inherent to the human experience: from the loss of a good friend to emotional fixations and lack of motivation, the album creates a unique sense of anxiety before allowing for some relief. If The Cure, The Sound, and Soft Cell had a wild night out, this would be the soundtrack.
“(Love & Suffer) is a heartfelt tribute to the dearly missed Stephaney Bird,” explains Ferreira. “The remaining songs feature abstract metaphors that delve into my persistent existential crisis and the recurring sense of disappointment in various aspects of my life. A relentless cycle of moving one step forward and then sliding three steps back.”
The opening track, Instant Hit, hits hard with a confident New Wave swagger that collides The Cure’s angular guitars and The Blitz’s palpable angst. The track boasts an incredibly catchy hook, set against a backdrop of post-punk drumming and ghostly synth pads, delivering a danceable dynamism that sticks. Meanwhile, A Presence of Mind slows the pace to something more haunting and contemplative, diving into expansive gothic depths with eerie synths and impassioned vocals.
Last of the Wild Ones is a propulsive toon that cranks the intensity to eleven, blasting off with whooshing synths and spacey melodies that recall Gang of Four’s gritty grooves and early Interpol. The vocals, almost shouted with fervor, echo anthemic excitement and exhilarating energy. It’s as if a lost track from the soundtrack of Some Kind of Wonderful resurfaced, bringing back a rush of nostalgic, high-octane thrills.
The title track, Love & Suffer, strikes a nerve with its frantic fervour and pained vocal delivery, drenched in high pathos. The guitars wail plaintively, echoing a mournful melody that bleeds with palpable grief. It’s a raw, resonant lament, offering a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a lost friend.
Tunnel Vision strides into sci-fi territory with its ominous synths, echoing screeches, and urgent backbeat, echoing the eerie ambiance of a Doctor Who episode and the echoing guitar stylings of Bauhaus. This strong guitar work stands sentinel overlooking the melody while Ferreira’s voice eerily echoes Robert Smith’s breathy timbre, creating a haunting harmony – a thrilling ride through a panic attack. Systematic Letdown revs up the tempo with squeaking synths and cymbal taps that jitter and jangle. Howling synths wail alongside frenzied guitars, while bells and yelps punctuate the mix, bringing to mind Mi-Sex’s classic Computer Games. It’s a night drive through a cityscape of sound, each element adding to the chaos and charm of the urban jungle.
Selective Memories slinks into shadowy echoes, with a voice that grabs the spotlight and yelps like a streetwise stray. Minimalistic guitars hum with a psychedelic haze, their creepy echoes dredging up dark whispers from the Pornography-era Cure. Each note hangs heavy, a haunting reminder of forgotten sorrows, blending into a brooding backdrop of somber murmurings.
Sudden Steps wraps up the album with a brisk, buoyant beat, bouncing with a disco-driven tempo and lively layers of raw guitars. Fun, frolicsome synths froth with a futuristic flair, reminiscent of Fad Gadget’s mechanical mischief and Devo’s dynamic dazzle. The track pops with a playful pulse, ending the record on a high note with infectious energy and cheeky charm.
Love & Suffer is out now on all digital platforms on vinyl through Verboden Records/Take Away The Love Records. Listen to the album below and order here.
Sektion Tyrants’ album Love & Suffer was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jason Corbett (ACTORS) at Jacknife Sound. Sektion Tyrants will be playing Purple City Music Festival in Edmonton, Alberta later in the month. Sektion Tyrants have shared stages with The Chameleons, The March Violets, Pink Turns Blue, Ritual Veil, and many more.
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