The Great Russian Empire dishes up pig blood and fresh roadkill on bass orgy EP, “Low Ends”

“Guitars are stupid. Guitarists are stupider. The egos, the lanky physiques, the sweep picking, and drowning out the rest of the band. What if we got rid of these poseurs altogether?” thought every bass player ever. That’s pretty much the vibe we get from The Great Russian Empire, or TGRE for short. This dark rock band from Montreal is preparing to release their EP, Low Ends, on September 8.

It features the double bass guitar attack of Benoît Forté and Nicolas Miquelon. The first single, “Blood Everywhere,” is their heaviest track—a Primus-Sabbath lovechild strutting its 1975 Aerosmith swagger. The standout song is “If Tomorrow Ever Comes (Cop Shoot Cop Cover).” This one really moves and grooves, while showcasing an 80’s new wave feel.

Other notable highlights are the atmospheric opener “Full of Blood,” and the early 90’s alternative and ghoulish cut, “The Hands That Bring The Road Kill To The Side.”

Lyrically, the band draws its inspiration from tragic personal events which helps conjure TGRE’s Debbie Downer-like ominous tones. After all, three of the six songs on this 28-minute EP have “blood” within the title, and let’s not forget about the “roadkill.” Also contributing to the gloomy vibe is the eerie usage of violin and cello.

TGRE has their own distinct sound, which 9 of 10 bands fail to discover or create. This band not only makes the double bass attack work, but makes it their own. Well done.

Low Ends Track Listing:
1. Full of Blood (6:19)
2. The Hands That Bring The Road Kill To The Side (3:49)
3. If Tomorrow Ever Comes (Cop Shoot Cop cover) (6:03)
4. Blood Everywhere (3:52)
5. Pig’s Blood (3:56)
6. The Fence (4:15)
EP Length: 28:19