Murmur Tooth is a three-piece based in Berlin, formed by guitarist/vocalist Leah Hinton who was also behind the now disbanded avant metal band El Schlong (Dunedin to Wellington to London for 10 years of touring) which ended due to visa complications. Rising from the ashes is the self-described ‘grunge/pop/doom’ Murmur Tooth. For Hinton it’s the execution of an early influence – Nirvana’s seminal album ‘Bleach’. That is, the feeling of it – dark, tense and pensive. Hinton has always wanted to make the sounds that made that feeling, and she has succeeded brilliantly. With UK drummer Claire Janini and Adam Brown on bass, it’s mission accomplished. Murmur Tooth’s is more low key, but no less effective, with tension, suspense, hooks, moods and some discomfort. Scratching at what’s just below the surface. There is a ’90s feel, but it’s not retro – it’s cool! A great meld of dark light and not-too-scary night, just grimey enough to elude any pop tags. Recorded and mixed by Leah Hinton herself, this is the kind of ‘creepy’ which is to be encouraged.