Deliluh: Fault Lines

Hailing from the Toronto DIY scene, Deliluh first came to our attention in 2019 with their fantastic LP, Beneath the Floors.

What started out as a solo project for band leader, Kyle Knapp, later evolved with the vocalist/guitarist joined by Erik Jude (bass, synth), Julius Pedersen (guitar, synth), and Erika Wharton-Shukster (drums, violin).

Since Beneath the Floors, Knapp and Pederson upped sticks, moving to Berlin and Marseille, respectively, and now operating as a two-piece, across European borders they trade sonic barbs with the resulting follow-up, Fault Lines.

Since the days of Deliluh’s earlier releases, Day Catcher and the Oath of Intent EP, the unvarnished art-punk which was also beautifully dispensed on Beneath the Floors has slowly dissipating on Fault Lines; an aptly titled affair with a collection of eerie soundscapes akin to a post-hardcore blur.

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Such as their incongruous and uncompromising array of sounds, Fault Lines takes a little long to hit the sweet spot. This isn’t a band that follows anything seamlessly. There’s an anxious undertow at play, making Deliluh truly what they are. Expect the unexpected, and be prepared to get uncomfortable.  

Starting with Memorial – a stirring encounter likened to walking through a haunted house (“Surrender my heart to fire and open the latch to vastness”).

Body and Soul follows and crawling with alternative tunings and poeticism sounding like Steve Albini paying homage to Brian McMahon, somehow Deliluh appropriate the their ’90s reverence with aplomb.

And while Deliluh don’t hide their love for ’90s post-hardcore, through ghostly passages they follow their nose which sees them splintering off down various paths, managing to sound like nobody but themselves. There’s no better example of this than on Fault Lines’ highlight, X-Neighbourhood.

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Meanwhile Credence (Ash in the Winds of Reason) and Syndicate II possess an elusive post-punk rumble that would rival anything of this ilk in 2022. Which is something Amulet is not. Like a deep night flirtation with Vladislav Delay, Deliluh showcase their bourgeoning vision.

And it continues on the closing encounter, Mirror of Hope. A futuristic voyage into the unknown. It’s a place where June of 44 threatened to go, but Deliluh play the anchor point well, creating a silhouetted backdrop that wouldn’t look out of place during scene from Stranger Things.

While Beneath the Floors was one of 2019’s great rough diamonds, Fault Lines sees Deliluh continue their off-kilter interpretations by dismantling their own sound and reconfiguring it in impressive new ways. It’s a great leap from a band that should be reaching more people than they currently are.  

Fault Lines is out now via Tin Angel Records. Purchase from Bandcamp.