What in the hell is this?! What is this crazy sound coming from the outskirts of Quebec that’ll make your jaw dropped with unexpected momentum?! Well, you have come to the right place as you enter the territory worlds of a duo named Angine de Poitrine. Under the pseudonyms which consist multi-instrumentalist Khn and drummer Klek de Poitrine, this duo has taken the next, logical step with their complexity and wacky arrangements which’ll get your blood pumping.
Formed in 2019 in the Chicoutimi borough of Sanguenay, Quebec, the duo carries this incredible disguise wearing oversized papier-mâché masks, and black-and-white dotted costumed with an absurd background image, this duo can really take the aspects of math rock, experimental music, and progressive rock into the fold. They released their first volume back in 2024 and received attention in the Quebec festival circuit including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Pop Montreal, and M for Montreal.
They also won the annual GAMIQ award for Artist of the Year last year. But when it came to their performance at the Trans Musicales in Renne, France, footage of the performance was shown by a Seattle Radio station on KEXP, the rest as they say, is history. The second volume gets even wacky, dadaist, crazy, insane, and brilliant in a way those two guys can show how much wonderful music can come out of the Great White North.
Listening to Volume 2, it’s a mixture of Frank Zappa, The Mars Volta, Captain Beefheart, Devo, Mr. Bungle, Gentle Giant, The Residents, and the Adrian Belew-era from King Crimson rolled into one. They were paying attention to these bands and the source material that is down to the bone by showing them, in the words of HUNTR/X, how it’s done, done, done!
I didn’t know what to make of the six-tracks on this bad-boy, but there is so much attitude when it comes to the fast-paced arrangements which is featured on the cat-and-mouse chase compositions ‘Angor’, ‘Fabienk’, and ‘Mata Zyklek’. Just imagine them, writing this track for any Looney Tunes short from the Robert Clampett-era, Ren & Stimpy, or the 1966 campy TV adaptation of Batman starring Adam West and Burt Ward.
‘Yor Zarad’ is where the Poitrine’s go into this late ‘70s post-punk attack where they vision the Duty Now for the Future-era of Devo, continuing where the Smart Patrol had left the big messages for them and carry on their mission in the 23rd century. There are those insane time changes, yes, but you really want to head bang on this track and show your support by getting your blood pumped and raising your fist in the air.
All in all, this was a roller-coaster ride that completely took me on this massive challenge for a band that really captures the spirit of the music that will live on in this duo to see what will the future bring for them in the years, weeks, and months to come. If you’re very new to their music, volume 2 is the starter. And if you want more proof, just ask Foo Fighters founder Dave Grohl on why this band kicks fucking ass.
