Genre/Influences: Industrial.

Format: Digital, Cassette.

Background/Info: This is the first (mini)-album by French formation Saurien. The band was previously featured at compilations and now delivers seven tracks.

Content: This band brings a raw and Industrial-driven sound. Heavy, repetitive, loops carried by solid guitar  reminds me an imaginary hybrid between legendary 80s formations Big Black and Sonic Youth.

+ + + : This retro-sound has something powerful and original. The guitar play creates a heavy, Industrial, exposure which is raw, unpolished and merciless. Guitar, rhythms and vocals create an exploding cocktail with “Ghost” as true apotheosis.

– – – : This is solid debut which has to be elaborated but globally speaking this is a great record. I only hope this band will reach a wider audience of Industrial-minded fans.

Conclusion: Back to the glorious days of Industrial-Rock music. This is a band to keep an eye on.

Best songs: “Ghost”, “Look Around”, “Anguish Knot”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/saurienparis

Label: www.anywaverecords.com / www.facebook.com/anywave.recs

Listen to “And Still The Lungs Won’t Fill”:

About Saurien

Saurien is the solo project of Paris-based musician Christophe Gitton, who writes, records, mixes and masters the material alone, combining guitars, vocals and drum machine. The project released a self-titled album in 2016 and had previously appeared on various compilations before “And Still The Lungs Won’t Fill”, its first mini-album, released in 2023 through Anywave.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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