Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster

London based four-piece Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster seem to have emerged out of nowhere, enriching the already flourishing post-rock scene with their debut album ‘Collapse’.

Starting small, opening track ‘Blue Skies’ seduces via a marching drum beat that steadily and stealthily amplifies into a harnessed, solid atmospheric wonder. The huge sound they create is then only heightened by the ambient intricacies of title track ‘Collapse’ that follows, reaching peaks that resonate such bands as Explosions in the Sky and Isis to name a few. However, there is a uniqueness about this band’s sound which surpasses any fleeting comparisons; they hold their own . They remain explorative without pretension and even with an album so rich in sound, there is an air of modesty which adds to their overall endearment.

Unafraid of adding a few layers to the mix and exploring other depths - third track in, ‘Duggah’ introduces far heavier, grinding riffs, sludgy and beautifully etched, with maleficent riffs and stunningly perfected drums - this track (along with tracks such as ‘Monolith‘) shows TNBD’s ability to create crushing atmospheres that send tingles up the spine and almost warp you elsewhere.

From start to end, this album is a captivating journey through various soundscapes that transfix, enlighten and illuminate.

Reviewed by Victoria Walsh
‘Collapse’ is out now via http://www.myspace.com/tacomanarrowsbridgedisaster

You’ll like this if… you want to hear Russian Circles copulating with Red Sparowes whilst listening to Isis’ ‘Oceanic’ album…yes, it really is that good!. - SoundShock

"...poignant stuff that shows off the crisp syncopation of Russian Circles and keeps pushing forward. If you like technical, all-out spirals of sound you could do worse than give this lot a listen! Big, heavy and sludgy, this instrumental post-metal odyssey is bruising in the best way possible - RockSound Magazine

The epically titled Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster are a young band, the British post-rock/progressive instrumental four piece only came together in 2008, but they already have a clear direction; heavy, doom laden, textural waves of noise with nods to Red Sparrows and Isis. This debut was mastered by Mehdi Safa (*Shels) so before even playing the CD we already have a reason to be interested.

As you would expect, the record builds towards and ploughs through crescendo after crescendo, however the spaces in between these waves of noise are filled with some really lovely and often interesting layers; soft melodies from the guitars and sometimes spoken vocal samples or chunky metal riffs wrapped up with playful rhythms from the drums (‘Winchester Pump’). The build-ups themselves are often very beautiful; vast echoes and heart rending chord changes make your skin prickle, ‘Seaweed’ has this combination of delicate moments, changes of rhythm and really heavy moments, it’s a great all rounder to check out to give you an idea of their sound. The band also know how to do straight forwardly solid and heavy too, ten minute track ‘Sunday’ is full of dark, crunchy riffs and shows they don’t shy away from turning the volume up full if it’s needed.

T.N.B.D. hold your interest over the hour or so of this album easily, obviously fully instrumental albums are not to everybody’s taste but they do a great job on “Collapse” by injecting tons of personality in to each track in the form of quirky little tuneful riffs and a solid quiet/loud format, if progressive soundscapes are your thing then this album should make a welcome addition to your collection. - RoomThirteen