Retsnimreddik is a Danish bog creature who began stealing bicycles in Aarhus in 1764. Retsnimreddik is also Kidderminster spelt backwards. Despite originating in the carpet town, retsecroW(s) have named themselves after Worcester, and stuck an s in for good measure. You can keep your jokes about backwards towns to yourself – this is a music review not a Roy Chubby Brown routine.
retsecroW(s) will be performing in the very forwards-looking Worcester on 17th April – The Marrs Bar to be precise. They’ll be supporting glam punk goth ‘n’ roll outlaws Gypsy Pistoleros, whose exhilarating single ‘Dark Faerie Tales’ was reviewed by SLAP a couple of months ago. But anyway, what about ‘Maniac’?
retsecroW(s) count Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Led Zeppelin throwbacks Jayler as influences. This will come as no surprise to you once you’ve heard the first 1.5 seconds of ‘Maniac’. On the verses, Luca sounds like Ozzy yelling at the next-door neighbours, which is particularly impressive given that he is 13 years old. Lily (bass) andOllie (lead guitar) are 16, and George (drums) is 15. The ‘Maniac’ chorus is Swedish death metal but catchy, though arguably the best part of the single is the middle 8, in which the band showcase their astonishing talent: riffs sharper than a severed tin lid, chords chunkier than a box of Yorkies, and drums hit harder than a mass bereavement.
Luca has said of ‘Maniac’ that the band “wanted to make sure it captured the energy we feel on stage.” This is very timely, what with things kicking off in the Middle East yet again and energy supplies being at risk. retsecroW(s) have so much energy, they could prevent a blackout. That’s the power of music, kids.
‘Maniac’ is out now via a multitude of platforms
By: Neil Laurenson
