Since 2008, GARS have been blending noise rock with moody hardcore, emotive punk and gloomy post–metal. Simultaneously, they feel connected to the Polish Tri-City alternative scene, which explains their affinity for space, minimalism, and hypnotic trance embedded in their craft. They have released four albums to date. Their latest, “Gone Away Return to Sender,” was issued on vinyl by Pasażer Records. Their second album, “Gruzy Absolutu, Rewizja Symboli,” was mixed by Jack Endino – yes, the one behind Nirvana’s “Bleach” – and was released through No Sanctuary Records. This year, the band returns after several years of silence and a lineup reduction.
On March 24th, 2023, they released their fifth album, ДРЭВА (DREVA), which was created with Yewhan on vocals, in a mixed Polish-Belarusian language.
The recording and mixing were handled by Johan Vreen. Negation Institute will release the cassette, and Bajkonur Records will release the CD.
The album, inspired by various influences, explores themes of nuclear conflict, the search for peace and stability, grief, and regret.
It features a diverse range of musical styles, including sludge, stoner, noise, emo, and black metal.
The band’s characteristic transitions between tranquility and aggression are evident throughout the album, as well as their unique fusion of Polish and Belarusian languages in their lyrics. This language blending signifies the unity between the two nations in their struggle against oppressive regimes.
The album also showcases the band’s innovative musical direction, with hypnotic parts played on single notes.
Check out the band’s first-hand track by track rundown below and be sure to watch 2 music videos and give all tracks a good listen.
Ніці (Threads)
Starts rapidly from the noisy guitar and does not stop till the end. Originally it came from a discussion about guitarist’s preferences. One of them just wanted to show, what kind of riffs he is keen to, grabbed the guitar and first thing that came to his mind was the initial riff. It is combined with lyrics inspired by classic movie Threads from 1984 (Belarusian Niti) about nuclear conflict.
Пакута (Repentence)
Title means ‘repentance, penance’ and it describes well the lyrics, concerning searching for peace of mind and for peace in general. What you can find here is characteristic transition between tranquillity and aggression as well as echoes of Belarusian folk singing.
Дрэва (The Tree)
Album’s first single containing lots of melody, sludge riff and even dub-like part. It was ment to capture humans endeavour for stability, but also grief and regret. In the video you can see the band’s guitarist as a paranoid refugee running in the mud and through the woods, bass player stood behind the camera and edited it.
Ў багне (In the Swamp)
From slow, massive riff, through psychodelic melody, to the raging end. W bagne shows the band’s approach as indefinitive mood transformation. It is also a good example of extraordinary singing mixing Polish and Belarusian language. For those who are not aware – these languages are very similar, though bit different. After all, it shows also that two nations can join forces to struggle with the bastard Lukashenka’s regime.
Парог болю (Pain threshold)
The longest track with lots of different tunes – sludge, stoner, noise, emo, black metal – you name it. Often played at the concerts as the last one to complete the destruction. Hypnotic parts played on one sound is one of the new directions in the band’s ideas.
