Future Of Illusion is the second full length studio album from Brisbane Australia based gazers DEAFCULT. I’m a huge fan of their last album, Auras, with its lush shoegazing sounds and reverberating soundscapes. The band, who have added Kellie Lloyd (Screamfeeder) on bass/ vocal duties this time around, are keen to point out that this ain’t the same rodeo.
“Future Of Illusion takes an unexpected and important left turn. The second full-length record from outliers DEAFCULT examines man’s intervention in nature and the irreparable disconnection it causes. The more we intervene the further away we get.”
“If Auras was the dream, born in what you can look back at as a simpler world, Illusion is the nightmare. The record features 15 tracks in a rage and introspectively-filled capsule. The soundtrack to now, existing within a ripped hole in space and time which has led to absolute despair.”
It sounds like this is going to be a whole new sound for DEAFCULT. Something darker and more intense perhaps. Only one way to find out. Let’s dive in.
The album opens on the brutal assault of ‘Oppenheimer’s Regret’. There is an instant realisation that this isn’t Auras part two. Which makes me incredibly excited to explore this album. The song is almost a chant against the brutal discordant guitars. Respite comes in the form of a short explosive riff laden instrumental chorus. Is this shoegaze? There are elements sure but DEAFCULT are steering this ship towards post punk and noise rock.
Next up is lead single ‘The Sign’. A pulsating heavily punctuated intro leads into a melange of vocals. Interweaving and interplaying it’s a treat for the ears (headphones on for this one). It’s a great choice for a single as whilst there is all this cacophony of noise going on, underneath it all is a catchy pop song. The drums on this one, like gunshots, cut through the mix and drive the song on.
‘Sleep’ is a mid-tempo exploratory piece. Assaulting us with multi vocal approach is such an impactful approach to take. Their voices are really complimentary to each other. There is a glorious break down section mid song where they get to show of their group harmonies and its amazing.
‘The Outsider’ is a short tone poem with a spoken word piece over some moody sonic textures.
Which leads us into ‘Annihilate’ which is a ferocious as you’d expect from that title. This new approach really pays off in spades with the dynamic change in pace between verses catching you off guard each time. Theres some deft noise rock on show here that brings to mind Sonic Youth at times. Can’t think of higher praise than that.
‘Umbilical’ starts off with a guttural growl of a vocal. I was fully expecting it to erupt into a death metal scream. Lloyds dulcet tones soon smooth things out and provide a really effective dynamic contrast. Once again, they back all this with the coolest chorus that immediately hooks your ear.
The deceptive rug pull of an intro leads us into the full ahead, pacey ‘Chemicals’. This one sounds like a band playing to a stadium sized audience. This one will absolutely go off when they play it live. The pin point riff in the verses explodes into the widescreen chorus. It’s a really exciting dynamic and one that fans will lap up!
‘The Nightmare’ is nothing short of epic. I tend to use that word when songs grab you by the scruff of the neck and take you on trip in your head. Theres so much to enjoy here. From the calm and measured veil of vocals to the massive wall of guitars we are faced with at points. I haven’t talked about the drums much so far but they are the core of all these songs and here they lead the way. They dictate the pace, attack and ferocity. It’s an utterly compelling song and, rightfully, the centre piece of the album.
From the squall of feedback erupts he opening riff of ‘The Well’. Again, the band have a killer melody to begin with and have built an off-kilter noise rock classic around it. The crescendo in the build up to the verses is going to be another live favourite. If this isn’t a single soon, I’ll eat my hat.
‘Metamorphosis’ for all its noise driven pomp is actually one of the more emotionally driven songs on here. Lloyd’s vocal is charged with anguish throughout. These are primal screams. The guitars act as a foil with more picked out parts leaving room for the vocals to really punch the mix. The copycat guitar tracking the vocal melody is a neat touch and only adds more impact to what’s being sung.
The title track follows, another short, spoken word tone poem with much brighter textures than ‘The Outsider’ from earlier.
This album is chock full of single material. Case in point, ‘Tulpas’. The staccato verses blossom into this technicolour chorus. The guitars in particular take off heavenward carrying us with them. Man, I always get asked “and what was your favourite track” when reviewing albums and DEAFCULT are making this difficult for me. I proper love ‘Tulpas’ though.
‘Rue du Montparnasse’ is our final connecting instrumental piece leading us into ‘Ein Traum’. A siren call of a song that rips out the gate at pace assaulting your senses. Drums are being pounded into oblivion while the guitars tear along playing give and take with the potent vocals. This is indeed ‘A Dream’
The album closes out on ‘Ame Solitaire’ (French for Lonely Soul). Its frantic urgency is embodied in every scream, every wail of guitar as the pressure builds and builds until the release of the of the final chant, the point of Future of Illusion summed up in four words. “We’re all to blame”.
Coming into this album from Auras doesn’t prepare you at all. This effectively could be another band entirely. The songs have extracted themselves from that reverb cushioned bubble and are laid bare, like the truth Future of Illusion seeks to share. Be in no doubt though, this album kicks all kinds of ass. It pummels your senses and never lets up until the final note. The addition of Kellie Lloyd to the mix is nothing short of inspired and has allowed DEAFCULT to make this transition in direction seamlessly and with real impact. If this is the direction that DEAFCULT will be going in the future then I predict a lot of new fans joining them for the journey. This old fan is all in.
Future of Illusion is out now on Hobbledehoy Records and is available on white vinyl, CD and digital.
You can follow DEAFCULT on social media here…
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