Even though it’s barely been a year since the release of their debut album Giddy Up!, Snake Valley have clearly been keeping themselves busy and are already back with new music - ’Fibre To The Brain’ picks up right where Giddy Up! left off with its charging instrumentation and chaotic themes, inspired by vocalist Matt Martin’s work in the telecommunication sector where he helped connect people’s NBN. Along with the new single, Snake Valley have also announced a new EP Price Of Gold is on the way, set to be released next month through the band’s own Red Cave Records.

Now even though we’ve been deprived of gigs during these long lockdowns, ‘Fibre To The Brain’ comes blasting with energy and noise. With or without exploding your ear drums, we’re instantly immersed in the track as though it is live and surrounding us - all that’s missing is the smell of sweat and visions of a mosh pit.

Beginning with a moment of calm as the drums caper through the beat, ‘Fibre To The Brain’ explodes open with a wall of fiery guitars and bass, the vocals following suit immediately after. Martin’s okka vocals are dynamic and craft an agitated atmosphere, adding an extra sense of aggression and grit to each of his words. The phonetics of his Australian accent makes that track feel all the more uneasy, skating through the notes as he yelps “brain”, “anger” and “bites”. Although it’s grimy, he’s still clear and rounded when he sings, knowing how to command the room even as the band heaves behind him.

The fierce drumming and burning bass carry us through the fast paced song, their intense rhythm pushing forward and controlling the movement. ‘Fibre To The Brain’ is electrifying with constant charges of energy, boosted further with each of the raspy blunt strums that blaze through the speakers from the distorted guitars. Two thirds of the way through, guitarist Lachie Reynolds takes a searing solo, that although brief, is a quintessential and powerful addition to the track.

With such a volatile sound, Snake Valley don’t shy away from song topics that feel larger than emotion - ‘Fibre To The Brain’ itself tackles issues such as simple complaints, rolling debates and mass domination of the Australian NBN technical frustrations. Fittingly, by the end of the track, Snake Valley cunningly inserted the classic whirring sound of the internet connecting that anyone born before 1999 would be familiar with. ‘Fibre To The Brain’ is a wickedly electrifying track and a welcome return, that points towards thrilling things to come from Snake Valley’s forthcoming EP.