Music
Press
“Despite their massive swell of underground support, interest from international labels and tours for as many international territories, COG are actually Australian. From Bondi, actually - but they're no Sneaky Sound System! Although they hate to be defined in a genre or scene, their sound is most liked to prog rock, with nods towards Tool, The Butterfly Effect and for those in the know, local indie favourites Karnivool. So that should give you an idea of what the new single and first from their forthcoming album Sharing Space, is going to do to your stereo. Thought provoking and instrumentally intense, ‘What If’ sees Cog at their very best - Alternative is already smashing it, don't let their sold-out tour show commercial radio up! HIT PICK”
The Music Network
- The Music Network
“’What If’ is everything you’d expect from Cog – anarchist politics, layer upon layer of rich guitar and synth, unconventional use of time signatures, complex but engaging drum lines, atmospheric vocals and exceptional arrangement of dynamics. Cog’s success hasn’t compromised their progressive sound in the slightest and ‘What If’ easily meets the high standards set by The New Normal. B-Side ‘Sharing Space’ is a more aggressive song with stronger melodies and a more straightforward construction. While not as rhythmically interesting as ‘What If’, this song is perhaps a little more emotionally affecting. The simple bass solo in the middle of the song and the amazing keyboard counter-melodies are particularly impressive. Both songs pass the 4 minute mark but involve the listener enough that no-one will mind the length. The lyrics are somewhat naïve in places, but if all Cog’s new material is this inspiring, their next album will be mindblowing.” - Forte
“To expect anything less than sheer brilliance, honesty and truthfulness to leave the speakers and enter your ears at a show is quite a high expectation to have, but in a balance that can only be described as eerie, Cog delivered well above any past performance and took their now influential sound to a whole new level. If Cog were one of those bands that strut around the stage and swing their guitars in the air and expect the crowd to sing along at every possible point, I don’t think I could watch them. There’s something about seeing these three men bash out song after song without barely moving, yet still captivating the ears and minds of every person attending. I’ve heard Flynn Gower’s voice described as an instrument, and if that were the case it was tuned to perfection tonight. Combine this with his guitar work, which always manages to sound like an orchestra of chords, Lucius Borich’s beckoning drums, and Luke Gower’s resonant bass tones, and the idea that you are listening to a three piece goes right out the door. Cog are a fully blown rock’n’roll powerhouse, capable of creating moods and sounds that others merely dream of. As expected, ‘Anarchy OK’ and ‘My Enemy’ became highlights instantaneously after ‘Silence Is Violence’ brought the room to their feet, but it was ‘Are You Interested’ off their yet to be released new album that made those few mind-wanderers in the crowd start paying attention again. Other highlights included Borich’s immense concentration and musicianship on ‘Swamp Weed’ and a combined effort in their latest single ‘What If?’ that helped cap off a well-conceived set and an unbelievable night.” - Drum Media
“Cog were a powerhouse during their one hour set of progressive rock theatre. Flynn, Lucius and Luke delivered brilliant new Normal cuts – ‘Real Life’, ‘Anarchy OK’, ‘Resonate’ and ‘Run’ and trialed at length new tracks off their impending sophomore album Sharing Space. Cog proved they have now reached a level of being so tight, so failsafe, so assured of their capabilities that anything is possible. Captivating and intense, the band flaunted their uncompromising progressive vision in a larger life scope, marred only by the army of wasted Neanderthals that started up a circle pit in front of the stage and began the lengthy procedure of beating the living shit through one other. Note: A few heavy guitar riffs does not equate to kicking the teeth out of another’s skull. EVER.” - Beat Magazine Melbourne
“While Cog do have a new promotional single available, it’s difficult to know if they have any vacancies for fans left. Already basting a sizeable fanbase, with numbers to make faces in the prog-conceptual-metal scene go agog, this group proudly has very low fan turnover. In an industry (popular music) as a whole know for its short fan tenures as an average of 3-6 month enthusiasm contracts, Cog has defied the statistics, employing an effective loyalty incentive scheme. Essentially, this is a band that gives their fans what they want. Challenging the status quo, overuse of metaphors, and epic gothic-metal that reverberates like it was recorded in a giant chamber? It’s all here, but then through their albums and EPs, it always has been, and anyone attracted by these deeply po-faced conditions has likely already clocked on with Cog. Nonetheless, Bird Of Feather will confirm to existing Cogsters that they are on a winner, ensuring envious fan stability.” - Rave Magazine
Discography
Albums:
Sharing Space (Australian release April 12, 2008)
The New Normal 2005
EPs and singles:
Bird Of Feather 2008 (digital only)
What If 2007
Run 2005
Open Up 2003
Just Visiting Part 1 2002
Just Visiting Part 2 2002
Psuedo EP 2000
Photos
Bio
No one can ever accuse Cog of doing things the easy way.
Never catering to formula or template, eschewing the safe or conventional in their songwriting, the powerhouse Bondi trio have at heart always been a truly progressive band, one driven by sheer will, a tenacious belief in themselves, and an uncompromising musicality. But from day one, its been one long hard slog for this band. Theres been so many times in the history of Cog where it felt like a struggle, says frontman and guitarist, Flynn Gower. Like some ongoing shitfight.
With their startling 2005 debut The New Normal and its clutch of ready-made anthems, Cog crafted an album that single-handedly projected them to the top of their genre and set the benchmark for all alternative heavy rock acts in Australia to come. Original and epic, The New Normal remains nothing short of a seminal Australian rock record. Today, Cog are as inimitable as they are influential.
It was a conscious decision therefore, says Flynn, not to follow up their first album with a New Normal Part 11. It had been three years since we first wrote that album, and not only had things changed in our lives, but we wanted to explore new musical territory, he says. Life needed to move forward.
One would think then, after the incredible success of The New Normal, itd be a no-brainer that Cog would once again choose to record their follow-up with acclaimed producer Sylvia Massy in California, Weed. After all, it seemed a perfect way to cement what was already a strong relationship, a known quantity, and a proven environment for pulling out their best. How wrong theyd be. Cogs perpetual shitfight was not over yet
What was meant to take four months, took ten.
Our situation became compromised, conveys Flynn candidly. The whole thing got very intense towards the end. It became a full-blown marathon, some kind of endurance exercise. It took a lot out of everyone, but in the end we got there
Indeed, they did. There are two ways to look at the new Cog album: One, that the band spent ten long hard expensive months overseas away from friends, family and fans alike; or, although the band crawled through a world of shit, theyve emerged clutching a diamond in their hands. That diamond is 2008s Sharing Space.
As drummer Lucius Borich rightly points out You cant really put a timeframe on creating art, he says. Sometimes you have to go through all the shit and struggle in order to come up with the goods musically. Otherwise its not going to have any validity or longevity.
Truer words could not be spoken. If The New Normal was Cogs opening salvo, an album that put their name on the map, then Sharing Space is their masterpiece. For my money, its an album that is going to be a lot more accessible to peoples ears, comments Flynns brother and bassplayer Luke Gower. But instrumentally, theres a whole lot more keyboards, synths, pianos, violins going on and whole lot more backing vocals and harmonies tucked in there as well.
Bookended as it is by two ten minute epics, No Other Way and Problem Reaction Solution, Cog have once again thrown down the gauntlet to the listener with Sharing Space. Both tracks are as ambitious as they are non-linear, and define the uncompromising and progressive musicality of the band. From the first song, I wanted people to think ok, I can either roll up a big joint or go make a cup o tea, quips Lucius. Either way, Im about to experience something.
Lyrically, all three members see Sharing Space as a step up from the last album. Even though I think a lot of people may have jumped to a certain conclusion about what Cog was about, The New Normals lyrics were a lot more impressionistic or abstract, says Flynn. This time we really tried to nail things more, and try to be clearer.
Hes not wrong. Throughout Sharing Space, Cog bring the revolution as much they do the riffs. With its signature guitarline and immediate hook, Are You Interested? rams home the bitter truth that personal privacy is now an extinct ideal. That fear is the tool employed by both government and corporate business to control and exploit populations. That paranoia is justified. That what was once the realm of conspiracy theory is now reality. Were just saying it the way we see it, states Lucius. Sometimes you have to be literal and get to the guts of it, rather than be all airy-fairy and obtuse. Its better to get to the bottom line.
Its a compelling theme - Flynn Gowers melismatic vocal acrobatics signal the urgent stomp of The Movies Over, a track where disillusionment collides with revelation; the utopian optimism of first single What If suggests the infinite possibilities in a solution; while Swamp, with its looping anarchic mantra and leviathan groove, builds and builds in intensity, before swelling into soaring melody and golden release.
Its not all politics, though the anguished Bird Of Feather is the Cog voc
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