Wakrat
Self-Titled
(Earache Records)
Wakrat doesn’t feel like your average side project. Started by Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Commerford, the group is actually named after drummer Mathias Wakrat, and that symbolic gesture gives the band a greater sense of a cohesive identity than your standard side project. It also helps that Commerford wasn’t his main band’s mouthpiece, so we’re finally getting to hear his version of loud, lyrically and musically aggressive music. It’s not surprising that Wakrat is just as groove-oriented as Rage, but this project goes full punk, with a healthy dose of jazz and prog. There are a lot of times I’m reminded of a punk-centric The Dillinger Escape Plan, and that’s a very good thing. Songs like “Knucklehead” and “La Liberte ou la Mort” are clear standouts, with the most interesting riff work and truly propulsive bass-lines.
It’s no surprise that the bass work throughout the album is standout, as Commerford has been lauded for his skills for a long time. His vocals are certainly varied and passionate. It’s spastic, versatile, and surprisingly melodic at the right times. His lyrics are even more raw than his vocals, and while that often works in the band’s favor, it becomes a bit more problematic at times. “Generation Fucked” and “The Thing” are energetic, catchy repetitive tunes with humorous and cliche lyrics in equal measure. It dilutes the band’s message when the vessel feels cheapened by simplistic phrases. The progressive ambition is laudable, but it seems to be occasionally at odds with the punk fury Wakrat wants to convey. This feels like a problem inherent in a debut release, one that can be fixed with more time together. Who knows how seriously the members are taking this project in the long run, but with this fun, boisterous batch of politically-charged prog punk tunes, this self-titled release is very welcome at this time.
Purchase the album here: Physical | iTunes
