The Wake

Playing with a cellist could be the worst decision that a rock band makes. If it’s done in good taste, however, as is the case with Tarantula A.D., it forces the listener to be engaged with the music. On their latest EP Atlantic, the band has ascertained that musical genres are not exclusive and that musical conventions need to be challenged. Armed with a cello, bass, drums and guitar, Tarantula A.D. are an atypical group of musicians with a passion for crafting songs that incorporate an array of ideas. The opening track, “Grazie Signore,” is one in which a theme is mutated several times before coming full circle.

Atlantic has the delicacy of a string quartet and the ferocity of a metal band melded into each track. If a song feels too soft or too ambient at the outset, give it a minute for the distortion and intensity build. The group’s penchant for innovation should not be taken as a sign of inaccessibility, and fans with a variety of musical tastes will enjoy the EP. Be forewarned, however, that the group does not have a vocalist.

While Tarantula A.D. will turn some heads, others will choose not to crane their necks so far from mainstream music. In this respect, the group is similar to progressive artists like the Mars Volta. Atlantic, available on Kemado Records, showcases a band with a desire to give their audience something unmistakably new. This EP can surely grab a listener’s attention; the real question is what will a full length album from Tarantula A.D. hold?