note: misanthropaganda is so much more fun when you view it on your desktop or laptop. Your tablet is fine I guess, as is your phone, but for full enjoyment and understanding of the artist's (ha ha) vision, take my suggestion. It gives the posts a look that's a bit more reminiscent of an old 90's fanzine layout, which is the whole point of this bullshit blog...
I was eight years behind the eightball on this LP. This self-titled debut by the Spanish band Sect was originally released in 2012. It was only last year that I discovered this on Youtube, once again thanks to my trusty recommendations that every now and then do me justice. Should I be afraid of that algorithm shit yet?!
Sect is from the city of Barcelona, but they don't sing in Castilian. rather in English. This crew features members of Dromdead (cited as hailing from Venezuela) and another group of Sect's paisanos who call themselves Belgrado who's absolutely phenomenal in their own right (if comparable at all then I'd say a female fronted Bauhaus who carry switchblades and know how to use them. Review coming soon.)
I have not gotten a hold of any lyrics for the jams herein, however from the few words here and there within choruses that I was able to make out, which were cheerful phrases like "Police Repression" and "Death From Above", I surmise a socio-political bent lyrically. Most of the reviews I've read for this release seem to have coincided in labeling this crew as 'anarcho-Punk' (anarchist Punk Rock to the laymen.) That remains to be seen until I get to viddy well that lyric sheet. Still I wouldn't doubt that politically speaking Sect wave the black flag! Barcelona is a huge epicenter for anarcho-communism, at last count having over 200 squatted buildings and at least 40 centers in the city where squatters perform all types of social services for fellow freeloaders. Isn't it ironic that these same anarcho-communists running social centers that subscribe to an anti-work philosophy are in fact going to work everyday at the social center?
All politics aside, there is a clear tone present, one of protest and indignation that always adds legitimacy to any outfit expressing themselves through the medium of Punk or it's derivatives. I'm drawn to Sect for all the very same reasons that I loved Chain Cult from Greece, down to a tee. I mentioned when I reviewed Chain Cult that I love esoteric imagery; and to me the front cover of this Sect LP is fantastic. It's minimal but evocative, and seems to be steeped in symbolism whether intentional or not. I love the single white line drawing on black, with that "sighted leading the blind" motif. There's a lot more going on in the logo as well. Little elements of it such as the inverted eye incorporated into the letter c, or the letter t which appears similar to the papal cross. (The cross of Salem, also known as 'the eastern cross', is a ritual relic carried by big-baller freemasons.) The band exude an air of mysticism through their subtle use of arcane imagery and I am a sucker for that shit.
Seems like with most contemporary Post-Punk outfits, the main sonic similarity is Joy Division, though I find Sect more energetic and driven as far as tempo is concerned. Just think of the up-tempo Punk vitriol of Joy Division's "Ice Age" but with a female front. The female vocals remind me a bit of Poly Styrene from X-Ray Spex. or maybe even Eve Libertine when she was at the helm of Crass, before becoming a filthy old soomka.
I haven't made the attempt to reach out to these long distant cousins (one thousand times removed) from the mother country. Actually, I don't think we're related at all! Barcelona is in the north eastern coast of Spain, and according to the glob of jizz that I sent over to 23&Me.com, I'm 85% Iberian, 13% Morrocan/North African and the last 2% is a delightful potpourri blend of jew, wop, and limey. Iberia is on the Atlantic peninsula well away from where my DNA could have pooled with these crazy kids. So I guess I won't be invited to Sect's next family reunion...
Just hit the link to their bandcamp page if I've sparked your interest...
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