Shepparton Airplanes: Almurta

Released just last week, Almurta marks the follow up the band’s 2016 self-titled debut and serves up another frenetic blend of jagged melody, pithy punk rock discourse and screaming feedback.
Featuring past and present members of The Peep Tempel, Graveyard Train and Tankerville, Shepparton Airplane’s post-punk is delivered with an unparalleled punk rock pedigree.
Kicking off with opener track, ‘No Prize’ is the perfect introduction to the album, perfectly capturing the balance of the band’s abrasive post-punk guitar sound, pounding rhythm section and highlights — without any fear — their craft of writing songs laden with memorable pop hooks. It’s surprisingly calming as Steve Carter’s words are yelled into void throughout.
Over the nine songs, the music is filled with crushing guitar riffs and energetic vocals which urge the listener to sing along. The second track ‘Like You’ is reminicent of a younger self grooving around the house, while ‘Revenge’ has you chilling out and kicking back to the grassroots sound and power of the rhythm selection of drums and bass guitar.
Closing track ‘Vanni’ packs a punch with almost psychedelic sounds in the one minute, 40 second intro, before the grunge-link vocals lead the song into a strong finish.
Overall, the album perfectly encapsulates what the post-punk band are all about.
To officially launch the album, Shepparton Airplane will play an afternoon residency in The Tote Hotel front bar, every Saturday in June (there’s 5) FOR FREE.
Reviewed by Chloe Cicero