1 Comment Written by Ed Servoice on April 7, 2009 – 10:22 pm

The Night Terrors is a sleeping disorder, characterised by extreme terror in a semi-awake person and often accompanied by gasping, moaning and screaming…The Night Terrors is also a Melbourne post-progressive rock band characterised by their rhythm driven and theremin-bound cosmic soundscapes, contrasted with grunged-up distorted metal bass and prolific use of horror-film esque synth. I know I’ve been guilty of gasping and moaning during their hauntingly powerful live shows around town, the essence which their debut full length album Back to Zero manages to capture superbly. An epic journey through space from start to finish, Back to Zero is a sign of big things to come for the Hobart natives and hot damn, check out that cover art!

From the first soaring notes of the theremin on the first song of Back to Zero, ‘Human Hair’, it’s apparent that you’re listening to something unique. Miles Brown uses the instrument just as that, an instrument as opposed to the gimmicky toy that most bands use it as. The man can control the beast and hits those lofty notes and creates the other worldly feel The Night Terrors are renowned for. All led by the thumping powerhouse of a rhythm section with Ianto Kelly on drums and with contributions on the album from Paul Kearney, Marieke Bardin and Kelsey James on the varying and crucial stabs and textures of the synth.
Back to Zero runs like a narrative, each song painting vivid imagery in the mind of the listener. ‘Blood and Bone’ – the turbulent ride through the asteroid belt and following track ‘Saturnalia’ the triumphant emergence on the other side; ‘Righteous’ – realising that you are lost in space and the next track ‘Back to Zero’ embracing that fact, rolling with it and tripping out on all the pretty stars up there…
But hell, make your mind up for yourselves. Check out their songs now on their Myspace and head down to the album launch this Friday night at the East Brunswick Club. Then buy their album. These guys are one of the best and most unique bands on the Melbourne scene right now and certainly deserve your attention.

Artist: The Night Terrors

Album: Back to Zero

Rating: 8.5/10

Genre: Post/prog rock, space rock, experimental