Officially back after a three-year hiatus, Amateur Takes Control (ATC) returns with their second EP, aptly named ATC EP2 released via KittyWu Records. Recorded at Snakeweed Studios between April and June 2017, the EP features four new tracks, written with two new members – guitarist Field Teo and drummer Martin Kong. Engineered and mixed by Kong and mastered by James Plotkin (Isis, Sunn O))), MONO, Pelican, Thou), the tracks highlight the band’s noisier, darker, more aggressive side. Tracks such as Ghost Hunter dexterously welcomes the listener into the band’s more mature status quo with its forceful, urgent, and stunning twists. Jugular is punishing beast of a song but shapeshifts into something groovier and far sexier, turning portly dread into playful dance. The Substitute starts steady and hopeful and gradually wades into deep when the tide starts to turn. Coyly at first, before the song’s pent-up aggression announces itself with an electronic stutter. It’s ensuing crescendo offers hard-hitting, oddly-timed catharsis before coming full-circle with its gentler opening motifs, as if to reconcile ATC’s blurring dichotomy.

Recorded and Engineered by Martin Kong and Leonard Soosay at Snakeweed Studios.

Mixed by Martin Kong.
Mastering by James Plotkin.
Produced by Amateur Takes Control.

Designed by Djohan Johari for Future War Club.