If you followed along with Tardigrade Inferno’s career since Mastermind as I did, you might have felt some trepidation that the band might be a one-hit wonder. Those singles and EP which followed their debut LP lacked the same magic, and fell flatter than a deflated skydancer. Then, Burn the Circus’ lead single, “Ringmaster Has to Die,” burst like a horn of bloodied confetti. Suddenly, I felt that familiar electric spark light up my spine once more. Juggling a new arsenal of all-original tunes, Burn the Circus explodes with equally indelible choruses, a greater emphasis on lead and solo guitar work, and more varied songwriting compared to previous material. Thematically, a joyfully manic performance smokescreens the band’s trademarked macabre humor surrounding murder, megalomania, disease, and WENGEANCE. Musically, riffs informed by chunky death metal and hardcore, a blunderbuss of silly sound effects and calliopes, theatric vocals, and a meaty bass tone help build a comprehensive, yet cohesive portfolio. Using those tools, the band supports a myriad of almost universally successful ideas across eleven tightly written songs.
Of those songs, my favorites capture a comprehensive cross-section of everything Tardigrade Inferno are capable of. If you search for high-energy and unbridled exuberance, look no further than opener “Ringmaster Has to Die,” “Rats,” and “Tick-Tock.” Expertly utilizing simple frameworks as a backbone, these songs exemplify chaos and embody a crazed energy without the maximalist wank of other avant-garde acts. For something that stomps a little heavier but a little slower, “Clockwork God,” “Nailed to the Ferris Wheel,” and “Wearing White” are my best friends. While all assume a similar tempo, the individual pieces of each song fit in different arrangements to maximize their effectiveness and sense of personality inside an intentionally restricted platform. Last but certainly not least, a trio of doom-y selections creep and crawl on three unique paths: bitter sardonicism in “Cholera”; depressive occultism in “Little Princess”; and twisted masochism in “Burn the Circus.” Despite their leaden pace, these songs overflow with compelling character arcs which help lend each one real weight and prevent them from sapping any momentum from the album as a whole.
Altogether, Burn the Circus is a testament to how far effective hooks, creative manipulation of simple structures, and memorable details go in making an album successful. However, the same traits that make Tardigrade Inferno’s style an acquired taste still exist in full measure. “Rats” is a good example therein. Pure repetition being the method that allows “Rats” to dig into gray matter, it drags a bit despite its brief 3:14 runtime. Additionally, it features the album’s most exaggerated vocal exercises, undoubtedly grating against the sensibilities of clean singing or theatre opponents. Meanwhile, “9 Out of 10” and “Splinter in the Eye” don’t quite mesh with the personality of their neighbors. Instead, they work much better as alternatives for a couple of the weaker tracks off of Mastermind, which has a different tone and character than Burn the Circus. As a final nitpick, there are a fair number of odd lyrics, and a generous use of expletives on certain tracks (looking at you, “Burn the Circus”), to contend with. If you don’t care about that kind of thing, nothing here will offend. Otherwise, once you notice the awkward way some lyrics navigate the album’s story and characters, it’s difficult to ignore.
Nonetheless, I feel no reluctance awarding Tardigrade Inferno’s sophomore LP my full recommendation. My resistance to a genre I had previously hated with a passion for so long—and without exception—has crumbled. I thoroughly, gleefully enjoy Burn the Circus, a record which proves to me that Tardigrade Inferno are no one-trick pony. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a church big tent that needs burning!
Rating: Very Good!
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Self Release
Websites: tardigradeinferno.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/tardigradeinfernomusic
Releases Worldwide: October 10th, 2023
