It is apparent right from the get go Kerretta mean business, a yowling guitar heralding a massive solid drum beat, and then it’s all on. These guys sound gargantuan, constructing a huge soundscape utilising a massive bass and heavy drums for the guitar to create an absolute maelstrom above. The second song is a case in point, the bass and drums creating a giant monster, staggering to its feet it lurches this way and that, the guitar creating a storm in the background as buildings tumble, concrete crumbles and the very earth shakes, it is amazing that Dunedin is still standing as the song ends considering the duel that it has just hosted between Kerretta’s three protagonists.

Kerretta are seemingly the latest in a long line of incredible instrumental rock bands that New Zealand has been steadily producing over the past few years, taking a cue from the more experimental parts of High Dependency Unit’s instrumental songs, mixing in the tightness and angularity of Shellac and adopting the variety and keen sense of dynamics that make Operation Rolling Thunder so distinctive. Of course there are hints of Mogwai and maybe even Jakob in there, yet they only evoke the best parts of these bands and never seem beholden to any particular aspect of them, going somewhere entirely their own.

Third song in sees a drop in intensity but not in volume, the seas calming, subsiding, sweeping towards another epic swell. There is a deliberate desire to not repeat themselves with no two songs sounding alike and the use of pedals producing some extraordinary sounds. The most distinct and immediate songs involve a searing lead guitar line and regular song structure, but Kerretta play around even with that, utilising dynamics by dropping out the beat and leaving the guitar to waft through the air untethered, ready to come crashing back down again when lassoed by the rhythm section.

Which is a formidable ensemble, reminiscent of Shellac but with a greater degree of looseness when required. This being their first visit to Dunedin, the only song the audience is likely to recognise is Death in the Future, a song with a highly memorable lead guitar that spent some time in the Radio One Top 11 some months ago. It is perfect for the meagre yet enthusiastic crowd on the dance floor to really get into, as the song winds up and the guitar swirls around.

The end of the set sees a satisfied (if a little tired) audience request an encore, those on the dance floor instructing anyone still seated to ‘Dance, you c**ts!’, and the band duly oblige to extend their set, another epic soundscape is constructed and dutifully torn to shreds before our very ears.

By now it’s nearly two in the morning and the more rambunctious members of the audience head outside to wrestle in the streets. Hopefully the lack of people attending this show is rectified simply by word of mouth if Kerretta grace our shores again, for they are absolutely compelling and positively worthy of more attention.


By Dave Local


Posted by rob

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