What makes Release the Bats by The Birthday Party notable?

This EP is often cited as a pivotal moment in the gothic rock genre, influencing numerous artists and movements that followed. Its title track became an anthem for the underground scene, showcasing the band's signature dark aesthetic and raw sound that would leave a lasting impact. Release the Bats marked The Birthday Party's transition into a more abrasive sound following their earlier work. Released in July 1981, this EP came just after their debut album, Prayers on Fire, solidifying their reputation within the burgeoning post-punk scene.

How many songs are on Release the Bats?

Release the Bats has 2 tracks, running approximately 4 minutes.

Release the Bats

The Birthday Party · 1981

4 min · 2 tracks · post-punk

A chaotic blend of jagged guitars and haunting vocals that embodies the raw energy of post-punk and gothic rock.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Release the Bats — The title track serves as an explosive introduction to the band's chaotic energy, combining primal rhythms with unsettling lyrics that define their unique style.
→
Blast Off — This track exemplifies the band's frenetic pace and erratic instrumentation, highlighting their ability to create tension through abrupt shifts in dynamics and tempo.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Release the Bats 2:29
2 Blast Off 2:17

What to play next

Listen next

Prayers on Fire

1981

Go back to

The Birthday Party

1980

Full The Birthday Party discography Artists like The Birthday Party

gothic rock post-punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata