Jaeger Bomb The Metric

It is Finetuned Wednesday, ya nerds! Welcome back. This week we are talking about a progressive rock band from the land down under. This week is all about Closure in Moscow. Let’s f***ing get into ‘er, buds!

Who Are Closure in Moscow?

They def have an odd name, to say the least! Closure in Moscow is an Australian progressive rock band known for their energetic and intricate sound, blending elements of post-hardcore, alternative rock, and progressive music (so like all things you all know I love a lot). Formed back in 2006 in Melbourne, the band gained recognition with their debut EP The Penance and the Patience (2008), which showcased their technical musicianship and soaring vocals (that said, the following is where I started jamming them).

Their first full-length album, First Temple (2009), really solidified their reputation with a more refined and experimental sound, often drawing comparisons to bands like The Mars Volta and Coheed and Cambria. I think that the production on this record in specific could be a ton better as it does sound a bit muddy in parts! That said, they continued evolving with their follow-up albums Pink Lemonade (2014), which leaned heavily into psychedelic and avant-garde elements, and Soft Hell (2023), marking their return after nearly a decade.

The band is known for their dynamic live performances, intricate guitar work, and unconventional songwriting, making them a unique presence in the progressive rock and alternative music scenes. Get stuck in!

What To Expect Sonically

Their music is a wild ride, blending progressive rock, post-hardcore, and alternative with a touch of funk, psychedelia, and theatrical flair. With “The Penance and the Patience” you will get energetic, post-hardcore-influenced progressive rock. The general expectation for this would be fast-paced, intricate guitar work with plenty of tapping, and dynamic vocals that switch between soaring melodies and aggressive bursts of raw vocal prowess. I would say this record is comparable to early Saosin and Dance Gavin Dance with a bit more of a proggy edge, which is kinda fun.

With “First Temple” you can expect a more refined and experimental sound, heavily influenced by The Mars Volta. This record most definitely includes complex time signatures and layered guitar riffs with playful yet intricate vocal melodies with a mix of falsetto and intensity. If you like grooving get ready to jam along with the plethora of funk and groove. The production, as aforementioned, is not the best but not the worst by any means.

With “Pink Lemonade”, they had a fairly massive departure from the prior release —psychedelic, experimental, and heavily conceptual. More specifically you can expect a mixture of progressive rock with electronic, funk, jazz, and theatrical elements. This means some weird ass time signatures, surreal interludes that feel other worldly or out of body, and unpredictable shifts in tone. I’d compare this release to a fever dream merging Mr. Bungle, The Mars Volta, and Funkadelic.

With “Soft Hell” there is most definitely a return to a more structured, groove-based sound while keeping the weirdness. This has more streamlined songwriting with a strong alternative rock and funk influence, with a more simplistic lyrical structure. This is definitely still progressive but with more focus on hooks and melody. Expect a mix of First Temple's energy and Pink Lemonade's experimentation but with a fresh, matured sound.

Overall, these dudes thrive on unpredictability, intricate musicianship, and a charismatic, almost theatrical vocal delivery. Their sound is technical but always playful, making each album a unique experience. I effing love this band!

The Aussie’s Lead Us To Hell (Softly)

The rec more specifically this week is the most recent record, Soft Hell. This one revitalized the passion I once had for this group and I cannot stop jamming it. You should definitely listen to my dudes!

Thanks for reading here, Finetuners! I do hope you all have enjoyed this week’s Finetuned. I’d appreciate any insights, admiration, or otherwise. You can reply to the newsletter directly or DM me on Twitter. (or email me here: [email protected])

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See you all in the next one! 🙌