TRANSMANIACON FEAT. LYDIA LUNCH & MAYA BERLIN

Hard riffing concept album inspired by dystopian graphic novel.

here’s blood, death and pain,’ growls Lydia Lunch by way of introducing this concept album from mysterious London collective Transmaniacon – in other words, The Sound Of Music this ain’t. The Strange World Of Suzie Pellet is based on an unreleased graphic novel from acclaimed fantasy artist Ian Miller, and is set in a post-apocalyptic world somewhere between Mad Max and Bowie’s Diamond Dogs. Avant-rock veteran Lunch is the gravel-voiced narrator looking back on her life, while Maya Berlin – from doomy punks Cold In Berlin – provides the voice of the young Suzie as she fights for survival in the ruins of civilisation. Transmaniacon set their stall out on Inca Sunshine, a choppy, foreboding riff combining with acidic electronics to create an early-90s industrial metal sound, while Painted On Skin establishes their other major reference point, the sludgy groove of Uriah Heep. Best track is the pounding romp of Dogs Of War, with Berlin’s powerful voice showcased on the catchy chorus. It’s a little overwrought in places, and the stage show would surely feature dry ice and rollerskates, but fans of dystopian melodrama will find much to enjoy.