Country: Spain
While Latin music is huge in the United States, for some reason Spanish-language rock music hasn’t reached the heights of other styles. Well, maybe Madrid’s Estambre can help change that, as their brand of post-punk influenced, melodic alternative rock could give a jolt to the genre.
The band, formed in 2009 and releasing albums the last sixteen years, are all experienced music vets. And they’re still going strong. Their latest single “Pantera” is a great intro to them. The track leads off with a heavy, bouncy riff that could just as easily have been a Clash track. While I sadly don’t speak Spanish (embarrassing for a Californian, I know), there’s enough attitude and spitfire in the vocals to get even an English speaker like me bobbing my head.
Another recent single, “Quiero Verte Esta Noche,” has an epic build, and a mixed of layered post-punk vocals that create an engaging dynamic interplay. Think a Spanish-speaking Joy Division crossed with post-hardcore groups like Quicksand. And tracks like “Temblor Carmesi” are guitar rave-ups bursting with energy.
One of the band’s earliest and biggest tracks, a cover of Daft Punk and Julian Casablanca‘s “Instant Crush,” shows off a more melancholic, meditative side of the band that reveals a potential for writing dancier tracks in their future (if the inclination should hit them).
So take a trip to our World Watch Playlist and give Estambre a listen!
The Indy Review 