Nrvs: The Tanks Are Coming Out
(Attawalpa Records)
Streaming
The uncompromising force that is London-based post-punk outfit Nrvs reignite their mysterious presence within the music industry once more through the release of new single, The Tanks Are Coming Out. As a song which draws influence from the likes of Brian Eno, John Cale and Faust all fused together into one toxic melting pot, it’s a typically direct and hard-hitting commentary on the dystopian future that seems to be unfolding before us all, says Ian Corbridge.
As the rise of authoritarianism, censorship and community collapse becomes an ever-increasing part of our state of being, with warmongering world leaders seemingly directing us towards an impending and almost inevitable apocalyptic state, there is perhaps a need now more than ever for people and artists to make visceral statements, musical or otherwise, questioning the status quo. And this is exactly where Nrvs step in as they follow a relentless and somewhat thankless task towards highlighting the burning issues and challenging what so many people have come to accept as the norm whilst Rome continues to burn and the barricades gradually fall.
Whilst Nrvs are a band who have continued to operate within the shadows of anonymity, undoubtedly for very good reason, they remain confrontational, unapologetic and extremely passionate about both their beliefs and their art. Referencing back to their previous apocalyptic sci-fi tinged psych-rock EP I Like You, which was released in 2024, Nrvs described this as shaping “a nightmare-normal vision of the near future, that you can dance to”. And now fast forward to 2026 and we get the first preview of their forthcoming debut album through new single, The Tanks Are Coming Out, which offers a view on the seemingly unstoppable force that is leading our world towards a dystopian future with no clear means of being able to put the brakes on.
With a sound forged from an eclectic mix of Eno’s ever shifting avant-garde soundscapes, John Cale’s subversive take on experimental rock and the hypnotic and primitive rhythms and minimal lyricism of Faust, the results leave us in very little doubt about the message within The Tanks Are Coming Out which aligns with the band’s uncompromising beliefs. It’s a dark, ethereal and contextually challenging punk-infused monolith of sound for those who wish to stand up and be counted, in order to try to avoid a seemingly inevitable and suffocating fate.
Set against a world in which most of us sit back and merely try to survive the constant battle of our everyday lives, whilst at the same time governments and leaders around the world are accumulating tanks, bombs and drones, the band use their art to pose the question: “You think they are just gonna leave them parked up on a backlot somewhere forever?” This is a song which they explain “is about Ukraine, Gaza & the rest of the shit-shows. But zoom right in and it’s also about the war that can break out when two people’s hearts get broken”. And the accompanying video, which is directed by Emma Chitty and features Josef Altin (Pypar in Game of Thrones), was shot in the “bleeding heart of suburbia”, perfectly capturing their concept of the “everyday horror of the end”.
Nrvs are a band who are existentially on the edge and whose members have served time for peaceful protest, which is the time when The Tanks Are Coming Out was actually written. And there is little doubt that this is reflected in their creative output, whether it’s music, visuals or their involvement in Extinction Rebellion and similar protests against the status quo. This song is the first track from the band’s debut album due for release next year, so this is very much the start of the next chapter – and the story is set to continue.
You can stream the song here.
You can find Nrvs on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and Spotify.
~
All words by Ian Corbridge. You can find more of his writing at his author profile here.
A Plea From Louder Than War
Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team, and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly. Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write, or hungry shareholders. We know times are tough, and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases, the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy. We are not driven by profit, just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about.
To us, music and culture are eveything, without them, our very souls shrivel and die. We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many, what we do is absolutely vital. Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute, and each sign-up makes a huge impact, helping to keep the flame of independent music burning! Please click the button below to help.
John Robb – Editor in Chief
