CAYES are a duo from Austria who released their debut EP ‘Love Life Death’ last month. Having stumbled across them on one of those random dark holes you can get into on Soundcloud, I immediately fell for their dark grungy folk rock cross over. It’s the exact tone of darkness that I look for in my music and it’s clear the duo are talented.
‘Shades Awake’ kicks off the EP with a slow burning dirge. Think of a slightly more restrained Chelsea Wolfe or Emma Ruth Rundle but only by a smidge. The chords and electric guitars add up over the track alongside the echoing hymn like chorus. It is very gothic and its outro is genius. ‘Angst’ is a more direct rock track in the vein of PJ Harvey. It’s simple riffs allow space for the music to breathe and evolve and I like the xylophone side-dishes hidden under the guitars. They give a certain sinister feel to the track. ‘Hollow’ rounds off the EP with a slow motion shoegaze piece that feels desolate and desperate in how plodding each instrument is. I love it in a track when the ferocity of the noise conveys the emotion of a track and this is what ‘Hollow’ does well.
‘Love Life Death’ is a strong opener for CAYES. There’s plenty for them to play with around this genre and I really like how they clearly have a defined central sound but aren’t afraid to embellish around it. CAYES are definitely ones to watch in the future.
Recommended track: Angst
If you like what I do, and would like to help me make better and more content then please consider supporting me via Patreon. Thank you.
If you have this release, you can comment with your own score below.
CAYES - Love Life Death
