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RAMBUTAN JAM BAND ‘HANDFUL OF HELL”

Single to be released this week | EP Launch – Saturday 18th March at Yah Yahs Fitzroy

RAMBUTAN JAM BAND, a psychedelic reggae rap group hailing from Darwin – now resident in Melbourne – is launching an evocative new single, “Handful of Hell” this week and the five other songs at Yah Yah’s on the 18th of March.

“Handful of Hell” is taken from their new EP “Bittersweet, Bitter Breeze”, which the Top End band has been working on for two years. In the past 12 months RJB has been building a name for itself around the inner-city bars and pubs of Melbourne.

“Handful of Hell” is a mix of reggae, rock and psychedelia – with an eclectic assortment of traditional skanks, trippy guitar licks and hardcore influenced double-kicks. The raw, emotional lyrics plunge to the depths of contemplated suicide, follow a path of redemption and self-discovery and finally arrives at a powerful, swelling instrumental build-up that provides sweet relief.

“Handful of Hell” is an insight into one of the lowest points of my life,” says lead singer Ward Hancock.

“Writing this song was just what I needed to deal with this dark situation that always seemed to linger in the back of my mind, even years after it happened. By getting it off my chest and acknowledging its existence helps me appreciate how far I have come.”

The track is kicked off by an emotional balance of backing vocals and piano accompanying the main sung line, to portray the eerie and dreamy vibe for the rest of the track. Nostalgia and apprehension reign as a pivotal dark moment is set. With the introduction of drums, bass and rhythm guitar halfway through the first verse, the song progresses into a steady rolling machine stuck in limbo, reminiscent of early Sticky Fingers.

With the arrival of the chorus, the full emotional aspect of the song is shown – with lyrics that scream honesty and ooze calamity, accompanied rightly so by torment. Brought back to Earth with a dirty, rocky riff serving as chorus outro, space is utilized as it drops back into the second verse.

Cruising along effortlessly – like every good Reggae song should – the Rambutan train reaches the second chorus, highlighting the internal affliction portrayed throughout. Built up to this point, alleviation is welcomed in the form of the bridge – the floaty, delicate section of the song is exactly what is needed before the path of redemption is paved and walked upon.

Embarking on the road to light, the instrumental build-up moves away from the darkness of the past three minutes towards light and reclamation of what used to be. Trippy effects on keys and guitar tapping builds to a Himalayan-scale drop that is transcended by hardcore-influenced double kick, rock styled riffs and an intense sung hook.

As the heavy instrumental comes to an end, tasteful keys emerge from the mist. Just like the music and memory that has progressed over the past four and a half minutes, it is hoped the listener has become just as learned and influenced as the writers.

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