I was talking to Sentinel Daily editor Scott Adams only the other day about Aussie rockers Flitcraft, and how we writers at SD had quickly fallen into two camps over the band over the course of their first two albums. The majority at SDHQ favour the band’s first album, Our Long Journey to the Middle, but I must admit to a soft spot for the band’s quirkier sophomore offering, House at the Centre of the Universe. And the ever-helpful Michael Stronge? “I prefer Minecraft‘, says he…

That’s really no surprise from a man who’s phaser is always set to ‘grind’, but the band’s label Pitch Black must see things the way I do, because they’ve given the band another bite at the cherry and so here we are with label number three, Transmission Echo. ‘But is it any good’?!! I hear you cry, keen to put an end to my wittering and learn more about what the band have actually come up with this time around…

Well yes, actually, it is. Falling somewhere between the first two albums, it keeps some of the quirk but never at the expense of the band’s now-trademark excellent musicianship and lyricism. Vocalist/guitarist Philip T. King, drummer Jack Samuels and bassist Zac Halpin prove time and again here that they really are a power trio to be reckoned with, pushing out a hell of a racket on tracks like Anxiety Machine and excellent standout track Bottleneck. All three recognise the importance of ‘filling the void’ and providing a fullsome sound at all times, with Halpin in particular playing a man of the match role with some inspired basswork to fill in the gaps when King’s lead guitar takes wing. Which is often!

Not as metal as the debut, not so psyche as the sophomore, Transmission Echo hits a sweet spot between the two that might keep this project motoring along sweetly for a fair while to come. And that’s good news for both band and fans alike!

Transmission Echo releases on October 17th.