This three-track sampler from the Melbourne-based band Nacional, was released way back in December of last year. There are a few bands that call themselves Nacional at the moment, and I suppose that accounts for some of the confusion between the Cuban ‘Nacional’, the British ‘Nacional’ and the Melbourne band that I’m talking about here. The home grown version have put three of their songs up on their official site for fans to download for nix.

Polyandry is the name of the sampler, which is interesting in itself, simply because it’s hard to determine where (or if) the multiple male partners or husbands are added to the mix. Perhaps the name refers to the way the music is constructed. The first track is "A Little Release (Down on your knees)", which could be disturbing to think about until you realise that the lead singer is female. The genre is described as electro industrial rock, and the industrial beats are definite and tight, particularly in the first part of the song. This track begins very purposefully with heavy drum beats and a good balance between music and vocals, but it loses its way somewhat towards the end and peters out rather than end in a breathless thunder of sound.

"Danger Likes" begins melodically and the band doesn’t kick in until thirty seconds or so after the first notes. Parts of the song seem random and unexpected, which is sometimes engaging in its way, but probably this construction would work better live for this particular number. "Shallow" begins with strong rhythmic drumbeats that remind me of an anvil and hammer. The melding of industrial sounds with heavy rock can be invigorating and truly interesting but again, as on the first track, this song goes soft. I can appreciate what the Nacional are trying to achieve here, and the free tracks are worth a listen, but as yet the compositions lack the spit and polish of more experienced bands.

Review score: 6/10