Album Review indie Music Music Video

Preoccupations – Viet Cong [Streaming]

By on Wednesday, January 21, 2015

After the dissolution of Calgary’s acclaimed band Women and the tragic passing of guitarist Christopher Reimer, a new project emerged from the ashes: Preoccupations (formerally Viet Cong).
Comprised of former Women members Matt Flegel (vocals/bass) and Mike Wallace (drums), alongside Scott Munro (of Chad VanGaalen’s band) and Daniel Christiansen, Viet Cong has carved out a distinct sound often described as “labyrinthine post-punk.”

Viet Cong @ L'Escogriffe
Pop Montreal 2013 at L’Escogriffe

The breakup of Women in 2012 was a heartbreak for fans, and Reimer’s untimely death in 2012 dashed any hopes of a reunion. When Viet Cong played a dive bar set during Pop Montreal 2013, it was clear that this new formation had something special. Though I didn’t stay for the full performance, the raw energy hinted at their explosive potential. That potential has now been realized with the release of their self-titled debut album, which has generated substantial buzz and critical acclaim.
Viet Cong at the Horseshoe Tavern
Revisiting the Roots
Fans who heard the Cassette EP during their early tours will recognize some of the blueprint for Viet Cong’s sound: stark, angular post-punk with an experimental edge. Tracks like Unconscious Melody and Oxygen Feed set the stage for what’s expanded into a darker, more ambitious soundscape on this album.

A Dive Into the Darkness
From the opening notes of Newspaper Spoons, the album plunges into unrelenting darkness. The pounding, industrial rhythm of the drums establishes a visceral, almost oppressive tone. Pointless Experience carries forward the mood, its title reflecting its bleak, guitar-driven soundscape.

One of the standout moments is March of Progress, a six-minute odyssey that begins with droning, hypnotic layers before shifting into an exhilarating, fast-paced rock burst around the 4:40 mark. It’s a perfect example of Viet Cong’s ability to marry tension and release, creating moments of stark contrast that leave a lasting impression.

The album culminates with Death, an 11-minute epic that embodies the band’s ethos: dense, heavy, and relentless. Its sprawling structure and dark, pounding rhythms serve as both a sonic catharsis and a fitting end to the album’s exploration of murky emotional terrain.

Verdict
Viet Cong’s debut is a visceral journey through shadowy, post-punk landscapes. It’s a bold statement that cements the band as a worthy successor to the legacy of Women while carving out a distinct identity of its own. This album doesn’t shy away from its intensity, and in doing so, it challenges listeners to immerse themselves in its unrelenting atmosphere.

Literally this is the best album of 2015.
Best tracks:

  • Newspaper Spoons
  • March of Progress
  • Continental Shelf

  • Silhouettes

  • Death


Viet Cong gets: 📷📷📷📷📷📷📷📷📷📷/10.

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Comments

  3. Matthew

    As quite possibly the biggest supporter of the actual Viet Cong on this list, I feel that I should win this contest. Also, I’ve seen Eric’s and Matías’ collections…they have way too much vinyl, they don’t need any more.

  5. Tyler

    Tyler Ivan Goodman, who can be found at tyler.i.goodman@gmail.com, would love to own this album. In fact. if Ming sees fit to bestow this album to Tyler, Tyler will burn a vanilla scented candle by his collection of Ming Wu photographs every time the album is spun.

  26. Christopher Russell

    “The only friends I have are dead who have bequeathed their writings to me –I have no others.”
    Thomas Bernhard

    Please

  30. David

    Great record. I was on my way out to buy this when I saw this posted. Might as well send it over my way!

Comments are closed.