I like to think I’ve got quite a varied music taste and I’m always on the lookout for something a little different to the current musical norms. As such, I was delighted to come across The Sacrificing Hands – the band is the project of Andrew Spencer, producing mostly instrumental music that sounds unlike anything else out there at the moment. It won’t be for everyone, but if you like your music on the experimental side of things, their EP, Hedgerow Throne, is for you!
By Jane Howkins
Kickstarting the EP is first track Killing a Hare. The song starts out with some beautiful synths that have a mystical quality, setting the tone for the rest of the EP well. A pretty, flowing, fingerpicked acoustic guitar melody appears soon after, following the main chord sequence set out by the synths. Some random spoken word vocals are added into the mix every so often, although it’s the music that really stands out. It’s extremely beautiful as a whole, enveloping all your senses at once.
Aphelion brings the acoustic guitars back into the mix, which also have something of a rhythmic quality about them as they open this lovely tune up. The synths wash over the guitar notes like the tide, drifting in and out of the music in a stylistic manner. It also sounds like there’s a harp playing somewhere in the background, adding another layer to the track. The piano is slight yet effective, creating a haunting quality within the music.
The King is not England has quite an interesting title, especially considering recent events in the UK! Strangely enough, the main note sequence does have something of a regal feel – it’s hard to describe, but you’ll know it when you hear it. I also felt the track had a throwback to the 80s, especially in terms of the way the synths and keyboards are used here. It’s an interesting tune, nonetheless.
This Country Life starts out a little slower, with an eerie melody being played on the keyboards, as a woodwind section dances along in the background. The flute makes for a nice addition, creating quite a folky sound. It acts almost like a vocal melody, weaving its way in and out of the beautiful soundscapes created on this song. There’s a lot going on here, so you’ll need to listen to it a few times over to be able to completely appreciate it!
Title track Hedgerow Throne opens with some Eastern style singing, before the synths erupt again, giving the music a slightly discordant note. The singing soon stops as the rest of the instrumentation starts up – the drums are very tribal, evoking images in the mind of traditional medieval music. More vocals are added, with a choir of voices emerging, making everything sound rather eerie. It’s possibly the most experimental song on the entire EP, building up and raising the hairs on your neck as it goes.
Crossing the Bridge brings the tension down a little, having more of a melodic quality than the title track. The guitars sound really cool here, playing underneath the main keyboard motif. Different synth lines are added over time, mixing together in a really cool way. It really shouldn’t work as well as it does!
Hedgerow Throne won’t be for everyone, as it really is one of the most experimental EPs I’ve heard in a long time. However, those with the will to try something different will be rewarded by The Sacrificing Hands’ own unique brand of music.
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