Since releasing their first single all the way back in 2022, The Family Battenberg have quickly risen through the ranks of the underground Welsh rock scene. With appearances throughout the UK and even over in mainland Europe, they’re now poised to release their first EP titled Spider Rock Forever.
Mixing multiple genres from psychedelic rock to garage rock, they’ve coined themselves a genre of their own, spider rock. And it’s hard to argue with it as the four band members are eight limbs of pure anarchy. As the EP kicks off with ‘Foggy’, the buzzing guitars of Ethan Duck and Eliot Jones are distorted and bone-tremblingly addictive. Jess Pritchard on bass adds to boost the depth of the rumbling strings while Billy Stillman behind the kit comes through crystal clear to combat the wall of noise.
‘Gwyllgi’ (Welsh for Go Wild) is a guitar bending labyrinth with Jones’ vocals ricocheting across the fuzzy strings as Stillman keeps his playing at a more straightforward pace, amplifying the range of the band and their genre twisting creation. ‘Friend Of Mine’ is the only real break you get on the EP, as Jones sways away from the harsher vocals he’s been feeding you since pressing play. It’s quite enticing and relaxing, much like being lulled into a false sense of security of the web of a spider ready to strike.
The Family Battenberg have created pure gold on Spider Rock Forever. Even though they take some inspiration from the 70’s psych movement, they’ve perfectly crafted something you’ve never heard before. The spacey vocals, the humming guitars and the frantic drumming all come together to harness a sound like no other. There’s a reason they pack out shows and have gained a cult-like following since their debut single ‘Fuzzy Features’ hit our ears, even though that song wasn’t meant to be released, and the band has since gone on to call it the Virgin Battenberg. ‘Anteater‘ being the first single from EP released back in May of this year is still as powerful as its release. The churning of the band as they slow down and speed up to an almost unintelligible chainsaw itches a part of the brain you never knew needed itching.
Considering the EP is only six songs, it’s not enough. By the time the deceptively slow start of the blistering ‘Ghouls Conga Line’ fades out you’re left yearning for more. And as they’ve garnered a reputation for their manic live performances and their constant touring in small venues, you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t see them at least once before they explode to bigger pastures.