“We may sound angry, but our message is one of peace”

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// One of the most exciting groups to emerge lately – comes with one of the powerful projects we’ve seen so far this year. This is Pain to Power. Join us as we unpack the Manchester outfits’ anti-establishment message; from anguish to feel.

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Cultivated from the springboard of Opus Kink and Squid, the Mancunian jazz-punk quartet of Maruja’s Pain to Power is a captivating presence of raw anger – all for the betterment of a life in solidarity. Wild and frenetic, it sees a band holding all the power as new contenders into the sphere of rock.

Rallying battle cries and sardonic quips from frontman Harry Wilkinson represent a powerful piece on upending societal norms and ruling class. While it seems angry at face-value, once you peel back the layers – amongst the moments of contemplative quiet – you begin to spot the sorrow and anguish underneath.

It’s a record of a young band with a lot to say, as they flex their muscles on tracks like Look Down On Us – a venomous jibe at the exploitative rich – Born to Die – captivating poetry as we exhume a damaged society – and Reconcile – a foregone conclusion to embracing love – as they are allowed to last up to 10 minutes.

Trenches offers a different perspective with its tense atmosphere and goading trumpet blare behind Wilkinson’s beckoning into a battle – that maybe doesn’t have to happen: “When man just didn’t care, the Gods just up and left / and threw us into chaos, never mind who bled / I redeem us with this music, seeing more, saying less / Listening to speak with the intent to manifest.”

The most powerful piece comes from Saoirse. Derived from the Irish meaning freedom, it is something we are witnessing being violently denied to the people of Palestine. Amongst its wailing horns, soaring violin strings and frenetic percussion, it is an outcry of grief and sorrow to a sight of genocide before us. Frontman Wilkinson wrenches out to “It’s our differences that makes us beautiful.”

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Pain to Power has all the hall-markings of really hitting home for many. It’s powerful and extremely angry in a world devastated by war, poverty, collusion, and corruption. A unifying force to be reckoned with, Maruja are more than equipped to be the unifying soundtrack for the betterment of change.

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