Review / 200 Words Or Less
Nazca Lines
Untitled EP

Stressed Sumo (2010) Scott Wilkinson

Nazca Lines – Untitled EP cover artwork
Nazca Lines – Untitled EP — Stressed Sumo, 2010

Seattle based Nazca Lines have been garnering rave reviews since their formation in 2005 have a new three song EP which highlights the new and hopefully final incarnation of the band. Original members Cory Alfano and Brett Wedeking are here along with newcomers Andy King on drums and Ryan Minch on Bass. The first song on the EP “This Crippled Devil” is a rocker right out of the gate, with a great guitar hook and a vocal performance that sounds like The Hold Steady meets Suicidal Tendencies with bass and drums pounding, there is no room to breathe during this one it flat out rocks from start to finish. While “This Little Island” doesn't reach the same heights the sound hearkens back to early Rage Against The Machine a good tune, but it suffers as it seems a weaker version of "This Little Island". The final song “From the Bottom of A Crevasse” is straightforward East Coast punk with vocal anger and attitude, which scores points in my overall rating which increased after listening to it several times. If the band could find a way to replicate the sound and fury of the first cut and not make it seem repetitious this album would be a 10.

The EP was recorded in Seattle with producer Matt Bayles (Minus The Bear) who recently finished working with Mastodon, ISIS and Polar Bear Club. The band’s major influences are At the Drive-In, Fugazi, and Refused. The band is planning on a spring 2011 release for their 2nd album through Stressed Sumo Records.

Nazca Lines – Untitled EP cover artwork
Nazca Lines – Untitled EP — Stressed Sumo, 2010

Recently-posted album reviews

1186

Histeria
Drunken Sailor (2025)

If you read enough press releases, you start questioning if you even know what genre names mean. Post-punk has been one of the most abused terms of the past 2-3 years and it seems to mean wildly different things to different people. To me, it’s always meant an ear for angular guitars and noise atop more traditional song concepts. 1186 … Read more

Li Jianhong

Shuttle Raven of the Dream
Utech (2025)

Li Jianhong's philosophy surpasses the direct relationship of a musician with their instrument of choice. Instead, Li has advocated for Environment Improvisation, where the urge to create and improvise is established by the artist's surroundings. Looking at Li's website you can find numerous instances that inspired him to settle down and start improvising, drawing energy from the surroundings. The music … Read more

Deseos Primitivos

Lineas de Muerte
Shadowplay Records (2025)

Some reviews are written after years of listening to a band and knowing nearly everything about them. Sometimes I listen to a record on repeat for weeks before I even look up the correct song titles – Deseos Primitivos (Primitive Desires) is the latter. This promo came to SPB as literally a one sentence quote about the band and its … Read more