THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT - IV
DOUBLE FEATURE: 2 Perspectives for the Price of 1
Friday 02 September 2022
Intro by: Rod Whitfield - Independent Writer
For the three or four people who may be reading this who are uninitiated with the illustrious Brisbane act known as THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, here is a ‘nutshell’ retelling of their storied history: forming way back at the end of the last century, the band released a true landmark self-titled debut EP in 2001 that instantly put them on the map in the Aussie rock scene in no uncertain terms. Things stepped up again two years later with the release of their debut album, Begins Here. Two more superb album releases during that decade and TBE could lay claim to being one of the biggest Australian rock acts of the 2000s, even flirting with international success during this time.
Unfortunately, by the early 2010s, internal conflicts threatened to tear the band apart, and by 2011-12, the band decided to part ways with iconic frontman Clint Boge. While the other three members recruited a new singer and attempted to continue, it was all to no avail, and by the mid-2010s, TBE were officially no more.
Luckily for we, their fans, in 2017 Butters announced the reuniting of the original line-up, to much happiness and celebration around the nation. Fast forward past the pandemic to 2022 and we finally get to experience the creative results of their reformation. Is IV worth the almost decade and a half wait since their last release, Final Conversation of Kings? Let’s examine that question in some depth, shall we?
Pictured: Clint Boge + Glenn Esmond - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT @ Wallapalooza 2022
Photo by: Tracy McLaughlan - Kaotic Images
Darcy’s Deep Dive
Written by: Darcy Moore - Sense Music Media
In 2004 when I was 16, a friend gifted me a mixed CD of songs unknown to me titled ‘A beautiful CD for an ugly Darcy’.
Now, while I should only agree with half of that sentiment - it was also a beautiful CD.
The opening tracks of this mix comprised of ‘Perception Twin’ and, ‘Beautiful Mine’ from TBE iconic - and seemingly timeless - first LP Begins Here.
Subsequently, I ran to get my own copy of the full album. Immediately hooked, and finding out mates at school had been listening to it for a little while now, the rock had been well and truly lifted up from on top of where I’d been living.
Not long after that, Imago came out which certainly helped me with every vocal warm-up for my year 12 music class in my car (with no chance of hitting the high notes) and any sense of teenage angst. Then two years later when I moved to Melbourne ‘Final Conversation of Kings’ was a staple soundtrack to my unfamiliar surroundings.
Suddenly, it’s essentially 14 long years of silence. Then we get word that the aptly titled IV is coming in hot. So, it’s no surprise that this was high on my list of anticipated albums. Me, and every other fan out there - you know who you are.
So with the release finally here, let’s have a chat;
The album's intro title track is a sound for sore ears. Keeping traditional lines drawn with their openers, IV immediately sits back and gets comfortable with its older album siblings. While being quintessentially atmospheric, the listener also gets the impression that the band are not here to fuck spiders. Drummer Ben Hall’s determined percussion is peppered with eerie vocals and deep strings which bleeds into the record's next track ‘Dark Light’ with haunted ease.
Yes, ‘DL’ has the smacked-in-the-jaw efforts that splatter across the band's back catalogue, but the song also feels a little held back. Acute bass, guitars and vocals are not by a stretch displaying all they’ve got to offer. A smart decision from the band to not show all their cards at once. It's a growing second track with a metal sway, we get the building tension that they just want to break out of their cage.
Pictured: Clint Boge - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT @ Wallapalooza 2022
Photo by: Tracy McLaughlan - Kaotic Images
Tracks ‘Waves of Tides’ and ‘Nil By Mouth’ follow up and not only accompany one another well on the album we start to hear the real range of Boge’s vocals with his powerful and controlled Tenor abilities.
‘The Other Side’ almost reflects its IV’s response to the band's much earlier works. Cutting between Hall’s enduring drums and the track's broad final closure, it is evocative of songs like ‘Imagos - Gone’.
We enter further into their juxtapositional world and capabilities with ‘So Tired’. Contrary to its title, the band's second single from IV cuts in against the spectral ending of TOS and immediately feels like someone has poured a bucket full of ants over you. They won’t sting, but ants nonetheless. It’s quite the mid-album flash fire.
‘Unbroken’, the first single that goes back to 2019 - is my favourite song from the record. You don’t have to hold me to that right now but, that’s just how I feel. It's an example of THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT that I fell in love with all those years ago. I’m sure it’ll be a love-hate with fans but, to me, it’ll bring in fans new and old. It shows off everyone's talents that the audience has missed for the last 14 years (11 if you want to get specific with this song). Accompanied by a video that will make you want to sell your mum's car to get back to live music again, it also nods to the band's grown friendship and chemistry. Spot me in the crowd if you can.
The album enters its home stretch and we start the all-familiar slow dance with snippets of what we’ve just heard. Further texturing the record, the band showcases each member's talents and strengths. And, that is exactly what IV is. A “Hey fuckers, we’re back” album.
Any album by The Butterfly Effect could be described as a cinematic-soundscape experience for the ears. All the highs and lows and emotional tensions of a good film in sonic form. Personally, I’m a fan of the more melodic side of TBE. But, they can never go wrong whether they do it slower or when it's hold-me-back heavy.
Darcy’s Verdict
Ultimately, there’s something here for everyone. It’s worth multiple listens and even though we had to wait, IV holds strong that The Butterfly Effect is one of Australia’s favourite kings of Alt-Metal.
Welcome back.
7.5 / 10
Pictured: Ben Hall - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT @ The Metro Theatre 2019
Photo by: Jimmy Wah - Sense Music Media
Rod’s Review
Written by: Rod Whitfield - Independent Writer
The album opens with the title track, a dark, off-kilter (being mostly in 7/4 time) instrumental that could almost have been off the soundtrack of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, and that sets the listener up for a musical journey that is both unexpected and yet quintessentially TBE at the same time.
And that, my friends, is the beauty and charm of this record, again in a nutshell.
IV is the work of a band that is both unwilling to re-tread old ground, completely disinterested in repeating itself, and yet absolutely capable of creating something that will please their existing fans no end whilst avoiding said repetition. And, if this record attains the promotional vehicle it so richly deserves, it should open a few new eyes, ears and minds to the dulcet tones of THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT as well.
Across the course of rock history, many bands have attempted to achieve this often difficult juxtaposition in their careers, to varying levels of success. TBE have managed to get the balance just about spot on here. In fact, to these ears, only one song of the ten on offer here could fit completely comfortably on their last couple of records: first single Unbroken, which came out a few years back. The rest forge new musical territory, and do so with aplomb, whilst maintaining their signature sound.
Pictured: Kurt Goedhart - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT @ Wallapalooza 2022
Photo by: Tracy McLaughlan - Kaotic Images
Much of this concept is embodied in the mid-album showstopper, second single So Tired (no, it’s not an Ozzy cover). TBE have never done a song quite like this before, its dynamics and twists and turns unique in the band’s canon, and yet somehow it sounds exactly and precisely like THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. Albeit the 2022 version.
To these humble ears, So Tired is the album’s best cut, and one of the best songs this band has ever come up with. And that’s saying something. The raw jaggedness of the verses contrasting with the soaring, swooning, singalong chorus is just a joy to behold. I can see this track going absolutely off its head live.
Much, although by no means all, of the connection and familiarity with the band’s distinctive sound comes from the smooth but powerful voice of Boge. He is in fine vocal fettle here, sounding like he has transitioned seamlessly back into the fold, like barely a day has passed since he last recorded with this band, rather than the 14-15 years of water that have passed under the bridge since then.
Something else I absolutely adore about this album is the fact that, at ten tracks and 42 minutes of music, there is nothing but lean muscle on the bone. It fulfils the needs of a full album release, but does so without a single skerrick of filler, remaining strong from the opening strains of IV to the emotive and grandiose closer Visiting Hours. There is not a single weak track, not even a weak moment.
Whether this band can scale the same dizzying heights they achieved in the 2000s remains to be seen. Times change, tastes evolve, focuses shift. But one thing’s for sure, their comeback album could almost not have been any better. If the quality of the material is all that matters, this release should put them in a position to achieve exactly that.
Rod’s Verdict
Comeback albums can be difficult and hit-and-miss affairs, but this is one for the ages. They have absolutely nailed it. Bring on the tour, I’m extremely keen to witness these new tracks in the live arena.
9.5/10
IV is OUT NOW!
Pictured: Kurt Goedhart, Ben Hall, Clint Boge + Glenn Esmond - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Photo by: Damon Whitley
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT are touring nationally with CALIGULA’S HORSE + THORNHILL.
Tickets below.
