The Mark Of The Demon EP
from Open Hand
[February 21, 2012 - Blacktop]
Review by Brendan ManleyREVIEWS
FILE UNDER: Modern-day psychedelics
Purchase it at:
The latest by California prog-rockers Open Hand is a one-track, 10-minute sweep through the band’s inimitable career, combining a mesmerizing assortment of outtakes, demos, live snippets and random ideas into one uninterrupted stream of musical consciousness. If Open Hand’s creative lives were flashing before their ears, this might be what it would sound like.
After an appropriately Satanic opening greeting, The Mark Of The Demon first unfurls like a Cave In record, with sludgy, droning guitars and dream-like vocals, then shifts into softer, more serene moments around the three-minute mark. The transitions between ideas are intentionally jarring at times—especially when the demonic voiceover returns—and hypnotically fluid at others. Speed metal at minute six gives way to more ethereal guitars, followed by background partying noise, then shifts into a David Bowie-esque refrain at 7:17; so much happens, in fact, that the 10 minutes are over before you know it. Then you go back and listen again, only to discover something new and equally stunning each successive time.
Open Hand are reportedly working on a full-length this year, but until then, The Mark Of The Demon definitely tides fans over. The band achieve more in 10 minutes than others accomplish in an hour—which, granted, can be challenging for the listener, but fairly awesome in the end. Like a snake that just devoured a large land mammal, this demon takes some time to digest.
“The Mark Of The Demon”
USER 
(6)
(6)
ghvygui
02/12/2012 - 1:16am by longnian88
http://ta.gg/5jo
02/12/2012 - 1:13am by longnian88
http://ta.gg/5jo
safh
02/12/2012 - 1:06am by longnian88
Enter review
Amazing
02/10/2012 - 8:56pm by Chris McKirdy
I had the privilege to tour with Open Hand late last year, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It's really surreal when you not only meet, but play alongside a band you looked up to as a kid. Plus, these dudes party like there's no tomorrow.
These dudes deserve any praise they receive on this EP, and I can guarantee that their next release as a 3-piece will blow people away!
thank you
02/09/2012 - 12:58am by Ben Andress
thanks Alternative Press for the kind review. the support means the world to a small indie label like us.
seen them heard them...they grow on you fast
02/08/2012 - 5:59pm by ian
The first time I saw this band live was at the Rex, a little dive kinda bar on King street in Welland Ontario. I went there to meet a friend and really didn't even know who these guys were.
There wasn't anymore than 45 people in this bar but most of them it seemed were grouped in front of the 'stage' area. It's not a genre I'm used to, not because I dislike it but because I really just had no exposure to it.
I went to the bar and ordered my usual to start things off; one beer, one whisky. I made my way back over and began watching these guys play. Immediately I noticed something that played a critical role in my appreciation; they mesh.
It was round two time, another beer and another whisky. I made my way back over to the stage area and continued to watch. I realized all at once these guys were pretty awsome. The druming, the bass, guitars, and everyone was loving it.
I was surprised... there I was in this little bar invited by chance by the bands promoter Ben Andress amid a new genre and I was having an awsome time.
Something else... these guys are just as cool and level headed off stage at an after party as you'd want. Great crew and well meshing, talented performers.
