TO (4) / Killing Spree, The ‎– To / The Killing Spree

TO is what you'd call an "obscure" three-piece band from Split, Croatia. While their first release (split with Anita) saw a rather unexpected usage of clarinet and brought sounds and overall felling reminiscent of post-Pentastar Earth, their second release (3-way split with Ovo and Children Egoism) expanded further on those sounds by introducing a somewhat anxious atmosphere and indicated a firmer approach to playing techniques. Their newest material (split with The Killing Spree) transformed into a nervous, noisy post-hardcore with some serious Breach-alike math rock sentiments. Influenced by, and definitely recommended for the fans of: Breach, Lvmen, Neurosis, Earth, Anita, Nikad.

The little body of work by The Killing Spree from Belfast can still amaze the listener with its brisk, edgy post-hardcore that influenced a lot of latter local noise/math-rock bands. Continuing where The Jesus Lizard and Slint left off, in 2004 they released a three-song 7"/CD which, together with the four tracks from this split with TO, were supposed to be compiled as their first mini-album. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter they disbanded to pursue new musical ventures, and the songs remained unreleased but well-kept for some better times. The sounds that band offers here take us back to when post-punk-rock sounded way better than its recent mongrels. Highly recommended for the fans of Slint, The Jesus Lizard, Tar, Naked Raygun.