[SEP1996]
Q Magazine

dEUS - In A Bar, Under The Sea

This Belgian five-piece, now including exiled Scot Craig Ward on guitar, turned some critics’ heads with their ‘94 debut Worst Case Scenario, a disturbing and sometimes brilliant mix of crazed, acidy rock that forced people to listen. If anything, In A Bar, Under The Sea is an even more demanding work. Bassist Stef Kamil’s scratchy singing now features more often as counterpoint to Tom Barman’s easier, richer delivery and songs such as Theme From Turnpike demand plenty of effort from the listener. Even something as beguilingly beautiful as Little Arithmetics can’t resist a foray into difficult noise territory towards its conclusion. dEUS aren’t an easy listen, but it’s worth considerable effort to unlock the delights they have to offer.

QQQQ (4/5)

Howard Johnson