SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MISSVNARIES OV CHARITY – PETROLEVM JELLY

MISSVNARIES OV CHARITY
PETROLEVM JELLY
UTÅT NERÅT RECORDS/INÅT BAKÅT

MISSVNARIES ov CHARITY is a three-piece band, based in Copenhagen. Their name translates to Missionaries of Charity. Petrolevm Jelly is their second release (they released their debut EP in 2022, Hvmanity As A Hole). Petrolevm Jelly is somewhat of a collection/compilation of songs that have been released digitally over the past little while, and new songs. For this EP, the tracks have been re-recorded, remixed and remastered for this release. However it came together, I am glad it did, because these six songs are fireballs of energy.

The band reminds me of post-punk dance music from the early 1980s, think Gang Of Four and Wire. The music is a combination of punk, and hard driving rock, and is very danceable. The first track, “Honeypot” exemplifies this with searing guitars, a heavy beat, and punk sensibility. They even cover a song by The Fire Engines, “Get Up And Use Me”, which was originally released in 1980 by the post punk band. Their cover is very close to The Fire Engines, but they still make it their own.

Elsewhere on the six-track EP, “Radium Girls” is a straight-ahead dance/rock track. It has a strong melody and a great groove. “Wet Suit” is a much louder song, and borders on metal at times. “Rosy” has a strong post punk sound, complete with a stirring bass. The EP concludes with “Abject Permanence”, which is an odd combination of Public Image Limited and John Cooper Clarke. Again, it is pure MISSVNARIES ov CHARITY, but they are wearing their influences on their sleeves.

Petrolevm Jelly is a great sampler of MISSVNARIES ov CHARITY, and a tiny glimpse into their music. They have a great sound, and I am sure they would be a great live band. This new EP is available as a cassette and digital, and I like the idea that the only physical version (to date) is a cassette. Petrolevm Jelly s a brilliant (and far too short) introduction to a great band.

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