Moloch/Groak - Split 7"

Labels: Dry Cough Records/Heavenly Vault

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 15 July 2019

Tracklist:

1. Moloch - Thy Grief II

2. Groak - Quiet Graft

2019 has been a very good year in heavy music terms and while it's impossible to catch everything that's released, I'm going to try and bring you more over the coming weeks. This split featuring Nottingham's Moloch and Groak from Leeds was released in mid-July via Dry Cough Records (UK) and relative newcomers Heavenly Vault (Germany). Bringing together two of the UK's best underground bands is only going to end one way...

When I first dug deeper below the surface and made the descent from mainstream metal to the underground, hardcore was my first stop. From there I found the crunching, slow riffs of sludge to be a welcoming escape from the faster tempos. At first it was Church Of Fuck (R.I.P) mixing the two genres with their releases and then Dry Cough Records grabbing the torch with both hands, thrusting ever slower and lower bands into my ears. This split, which is one of their latest releases, is no different.

Moloch will not be a surprise to anybody (at least, they shouldn’t be). Their recent 7” “Love Songs” was the quartet at their best and here on Thy Grief II,  there’s no dip in the quality of the sludge/doom that they provide. They sound a little more stripped-back here but they’re still a force to be reckoned with. You just have to listen to the powerful riffs and rumbling bass, the crashing cymbals and those vocals to know that they can’t be doubted anymore.

Groak have always had their foot in both fast and slow camps. Here they begin Quiet Graft in frightening fashion with dual vocals, screeching feedback and instrumentation delivered at a tempo that’s as slow as they’ve probably ever gone (maybe!). It doesn’t end their though. Their own, gritty brand of Yorkshire sludge is glorious in a twisted way and it just goes to show the breath of talent that the UK’s scene (I hate to use the term) has. Consistency is a hard thing for a lot of bands to muster, but Groak are already producing the goods. 

If you’re from the UK you’ll no doubt be familiar with both bands and heck, if you’re from overseas, the chances are you’ll have come across them too. If not, this split may be a starter for ten. Two blisteringly heavy songs from two of our best. That reminds me, there are some gaps in my sludge collection that need filling!

Stream and purchase the full split digitally and on vinyl from Dry Cough Records below:-

European fans can buy the split in both formats from Heavenly Vault Records here - 

https://vaultofheaven.bandcamp.com/album/split-7

Moloch - https://www.facebook.com/molochsludge/

Groak - https://www.facebook.com/groakdiy/

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords/

Heavenly Vault - http://www.heavenlyvault.de/News_.html

Bob Malmstrom - Lange Leve Bob Malmstrom

Labels: Elitbolaget

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 05 Apr 2019

Tracklist:

1. Modersmalets Sang (Med Runeberskoren BSB)

2. Hang Dig!

3. Du Ar Problemet

4. Ruttet Te

5. Se Dig I Spegeln

6. Skal! (Favorit I Repris - Med Anette Grevberg Och Runeberskoren BSB)

I'm revisiting Finland again this evening (I could probably spend the rest of this year talking about Finnish punk and metal, but I won't). Hardcore-punk quartet Bob Malmstrom is the newest band to cross my inbox and thanks to native label Elitbolaget, I'm able to review the band's latest EP "Lange Leve Bob Malmstrom". They've enlisted the help of Borgar male voice choir Runeberskoren BSB, Finnish folk musician Anette Grevberg and the production of Teemu Aalto (whose worked with Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum) to help bring the EP to life.

EP opener Modersmalets Sang features the voices of the impressive Runeberskoren BSB. It’s a long way from Bob Malmstrom’s hardcore-punk, but it’s lovely and will put you in a truly serene mood. A mood that is snatched away from you as soon as Hang Dig! begins. The quartet’s punk is on the faster and louder side with nods to grindcore, thrash and typical Finnish frivolity. 

Du Ar Problemet contains some really good guitar work and pure 80s rock-n-roll clean backing singing, which sit really well next to the harsh lead vocals. In fact the whole song has that 80s vibe flowing through it, thanks to every instrument and to Bob Malmstrom’s song-writing. The intensity is turned up many notches again on Ruttet Te, where things go in an altogether more metal direction. It’s fast and furious without being a mere rehash.

I’ll tell you what, these guys have some chops! Se Dig I Spegeln once again traverses the line between punk and rock n roll, and it’s so easy to why the two genres are so intertwined. Yes it’s heavy in places but I defy you not to enjoy it. EP closer Skal! is like a folk version of one of Bob Malmstrom’s own songs and I’ll admit, it’s what I was expecting when I started listening to the band. I’m not sure why I thought that. It’s great though and suits the overall feel of “Lange Leve Bob Malmstrom” though.

This is another short EP but it’s entertainment value will stay with you for days (and I mean that in a good way). There’s a lot more to their musical palette than just hardcore-punk and it makes this a much brighter listen. Leave your stoney faced elitism behind for a bit and listen to this!

You can stream and purchase the EP from Bob Malmstrom below:-

Bob Malmstrom - https://www.facebook.com/BobMalmstrom/

Elitbolaget - https://www.facebook.com/Elitbolaget/

Corroder - Doctrine 7"

Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt/Several Casualties Productions/Tuhkaa & Paskaa Esittaa Records

Formats: Vinyl

Release Date: 01 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Tightrope

2. Nothing

3. Constructive Criticism

4. Cacophony

"Doctrine" is the first of two 7"s that were released earlier this year by unknown Finnish hardcore/sludge band Corroder. I uses the term unknown because, apart from a bandcamp page containing just two songs, little is known about the band. This and second 7" "Instinct" were sent to me by Ramekuukkeli-Levyt and I must apologise for the time it's taken me to write this review. The double release was made possible with the help of Several Casualties Productions and Tuhkaa & Paskaa Esittaa Records.

This is incredibly bass-heavy sludge with touches of hardcore and crust sewn in. Opener Tightrope is as black (atmosphere-wise) as the vinyl it’s pressed onto. The vocals are made up of deep roars and higher-pitched shrieks, while the guitars assert themselves at the lower end of the register and the drums are gloriously analogue-sounding alongside them. Nothing is groovier in tempo and there’s more of a metal influence in it as well. I’m playing this on my turntable with the volume at a moderate level (as I live in a flat and don’t want to fall out with my neighbours) but the music still seems to shake the room.

The b-side carries on the upturn in pace, with the crusty monolith of Constructive Criticism. The guitar melodies are slightly more noticeable here, but it’s still murky and angry. The off-kilter delivery also knocks you for six. There’s a brief moment of calm and inner-reflection as quiet strings help the 7” transition to its final song Cacophony. Here, Corroder goes back in search of the suffocating sludge that greeted the listener at the start of this EP. This time though it’s instrumental for a larger proportion, with the vocals being used more sparingly. Angular riffs back up the screams and the percussion helps to bring things to a close. 

“Doctrine” is a no-frills EP from a fairly no-frills band. People tend to speak in derisory terms about the 7” format but it still works well, especially for Corroder. Their heavy, sludgy hardcore is perfectly suited to the format, even if it’s over all too quickly.

Corroder Bandcamp - https://corroderjkl.bandcamp.com

Ramekuukkeli-Levyt - https://www.facebook.com/Rämekuukkeli-levyt

Several Casualties Productions - https://www.facebook.com/severalcasualties/

Tuhkaa & Paskaa Esittaa Records - https://www.discogs.com/label/Tuhkaa-Paskaa-Esittää-Records

Pacifist - Greyscale Dreams

Labels: Self-Released/Inspirus Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 16 Jun 2019

Tracklist:

1. Reactionary

2. Double Down

3. Pedigreed

4. Greyscale Dreams

I've been playing with my schedule a bit and have decided to throw this into the mix. Post-hardcore from India in the form of Mumbai's Pacifist. "Greyscale Dreams" is their debut EP and it's rad to see bands getting swept up in the sound, especially when they're from different countries and scenes. This EP was self-released digitally by the band back in mid-June and I heard about it shortly after that. India is beginning to produce some excellent bands from the alternative/heavy end of the musical spectrum and I'm excited about this.

Pacifist’s sound does not bare resemblance to their country’s traditional roots at all. They’re clearly a band that’s been brought up on punk and hardcore and opening song Reactionary is well and truly a product of that. The vocals draw comparisons to the likes of Snapcase and Zach De La Rocha from RATM at his angriest, while the instrumentation is driving and full of impact, which is perfect given the short song length. Double Down plays on Pacfist’s off-kilter influences and drills home their caustic sense of delivery. That said, it’s melodic in all the right places and the clash of both heaviness and melody works so well here. They’re also able to add sensitive passages to the song that help to break up the obvious angst that courses] through it. 

The unmistakable hardcore of Pedigreed is counterbalanced by semi-clean vocals. There’s a definite rock vibe to this and it’s hard to explain but it has that larger-than-life feel that just makes you feel unbeatable. Music should be like that though and Pacifist have nailed it here. The title-track closes out the EP and the dystopian commentary that’s delivered via the lyrics. Pacifist talks about the light that barely shines through today’s humanity but it certainly shines through their music. When post-hardcore/screamo legends are returning to that fray with over-produced and expensively recorded albums, you should be digging deeper into the layers that sit beneath them. Pacifist are coming up to the surface quickly and you should take note. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

You can stream "Greyscale Dreams" and purchase it digitally below:-

Pacifist - https://www.facebook.com/PacifistIndia/

Inspirus Records - https://www.facebook.com/inspirusrecords

Geist - Swarming Season

Labels: Cursed Monk Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 20 Sep 2019

Tracklist:

1. Unnatural Selection

2. Western Medicine

3. Breathe Soundless Light

4. Sleep Deprived

5. Election Day

6. Silent Hive

7. Kennel Cough

8. Buried Language

Nearly the end of another weekend and once again I have writer's block. I've been waiting to write this review and at times over the last 24 hours I've struggled for the right words. Thankfully, inspiration comes in the weirdest of ways and I'm ready to go again. After a long period of silence, Geist is about to return with a new record. Due for release in late September via Cursed Monk Records, "Swarming Season" features eight new chaotic heavy hardcore songs and a special guest as well (but I ain't giving that one away). 

Anger makes the heart grow fonder. Anger is a primal human response to a lot of things and in this instance, Geist harnesses it for the sake of musical cleansing on “Swarming Season”. Opener Unnatural Selection is instantly crushable thanks to metallic guitars, powerfully authoritative percussion, deep rumbling bass and instantly addictive screams. This sets the tone for the rest of the record. Angular and crazed without reproach. Punk-like tones greet you at the beginning of Western Medicine, but that feeling of safety and familiarity soon dissipates into something more sinister and heavy. Geist’s writing has certainly grown and this record is testament to that growth, both live and in the studio. 

Most bands seems to ignore the quality over quantity rule, but not here. The songs on “Swarming Season” aren’t long and sticking to single-figures in terms of song number is good. Breathe Soundless Light is subtly mid-paced with an overbearing sense of dread flowing though it. Nothing outstays it’s welcome, while the rage grows more evident. From there it’s onto the grinding madness of Sleep Deprived. This song describes how I felt for the majority of last weeks, both in title and in texture and it’s not pretty. Fast insanity with the kind of intense progression that marks Geist out as a contender for the top-tier (sorry if that’s too much praise). 

Election Day harnesses the ill feeling that’s been aimed at our Government of late and it continues in the same belligerent vein as Sleep Deprived, except for the dread-filled final bars that come complete with super-heavy sludgy riffs. The screams that help kick off Silent Hive are almost blood curdling. There’s no way you could be prepared for them and they fit the song perfectly. Again, it’s a mid-paced song that seems to crawl along at a simple but claustrophobic tempo. It suits the heaviness though and is truly disparate.

It’s left to the final two songs to hammer home Geist’s modus-operandi on “Swarming Season” and Kennel Cough goes straight for the jugular before retreating back with Primitive Man-style guitar work. They don’t stick to that pace for long though and banish it with more angular hardcore and PV-esque insanity. Buried Language is more of the same and rounds out the album as breathlessly as when it started. The production/mixing/mastering helps make “Swarming Season” come to life in ways that other albums can’t and in turn helps it become one that will stick in your mind and ears for a long time. Awesome.

You can stream Sleep Deprived prior to the full release via Geist's bandcamp page below:-

Geist - https://www.facebook.com/ukgeist/

CD/Digital pre-orders can by purchased from Cursed Monk Records here - 

https://cursedmonk.bandcamp.com/album/swarming-season

Cursed Monk Records - https://www.facebook.com/cursedmonk/

Seventeen Again - Invoke

Labels: Black Lake Records/The Ghost Is Clear Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 15 Feb 2014 (Digital)/14 Jun 2014 (Vinyl)

Tracklist:

1. Between The Lines

2. Around The Edges

3. Trevelyn

4. When In Rome

5. When In Hell

6. Cure Light Wounds

7. Billy Yank

8. Johnny Reb

9. Soak Up The Sun

It's been a while since I've done one of these reviews (and a little less of a while since I've done a review full stop). I'm getting back on the Zegema Beach Records roster horse and focusing this review on the only album to come from Michigan (USA) punk/hardcore band Seventeen Again. It was released by Black Lake Records (UK), The Ghost Is Clear Records (USA) and Zegema Beach Records (Canada) back in 2014 on vinyl, as well as digitally by the labels and by Seventeen Again themselves. They're no longer a functioning band but their members play in other bands.

Frustration doesn’t even come close to describing how this month has gone so far. I’ve not written anywhere near as much as I would have liked, though I really need to stop putting too much pressure on myself in that department. Some fast hardcore/punk and green tea should help be get over that though, at least for a time. This is fast hardcore and opening song Between The Lines barely lasts over a minute. It’s angular hardcore with off-kilter percussion and near-hysterical screams, so if you were wanting chuggy tough-guy stuff, look elsewhere. 

Seventeen Again is definitely more false-grind/emo-violence in posture than the hardcore tag would suggest and Around The Edges is abrasive and emotive in equal measure. The music’s also incredibly bass-heavy and it’s more obvious on Trevelyn, as the low-rumble accentuates the low vocal growls. Things get weird on When In Rome, which is slower in tempo but also more experimental. It stops on a dime and gives way to When In Hell, which is a really apt follow-up (let’s face it, most big cities are hell). It has a rock vibe to it though and also minimalist in approach and structure at points. 

You’re past the mid-way point when Cure Light Wounds comes into view and it’s another rager, with no time for breath or soft soothing tones. The second half of “Invoke” is also where Seventeen Again spread their musical wings a little, by writing and playing longer songs like Billy Yank. From the lengthy to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it as penultimate song Johnny Reb’s moody overtones fly by in less than sixty-seconds and lead you to album closer Soak Up The Sun, which is anything but sunny in disposition. There is melody in it though, but like the rest of “invoke”, it’s subtle and surrounded by dissonance. 

So what if this is album is a few years old by now and Seventeen Again isn’t active, “Invoke” is still a lot of fun to listen to and escape everyday life with. Though I’m not sure I’d actually want to be seventeen again!

You can grab "Invoke" as a free-download from Seventeen Again's bandcamp page below:-

Seventeen Again - https://www.facebook.com/seventeenagainmi

You can still get vinyl copies from the labels below:-

Black Lake Records - http://blacklakerecords.bigcartel.com

The Ghost Is Clear Records - https://theghostisclearrecords.limitedrun.com

Zegema Beach Records - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases

Black Lake Records - https://www.facebook.com/blacklakerecords

The Ghost Is Clear Records - https://www.facebook.com/TGICRECS

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords

Perverticon - Wounds Of Divinity

Labels: Iron Bonehead Productions

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 25 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Thirsting For Ruin

2. An Absence Of All But Ashes

3. Cold Embrace Of Sanctity

4. The Cease Of Absolution

5. Divine Amusement For Pitiless God

6. The Apostates Communion

7. Breath Of Sulphur/Aura Of Flies

8. Extracorporeal Climax

9. Holy Gifts From Skinless Hands

This night belongs to Swedish black metal band Perverticon. This anti-religious, belligerent trio has been polluting clean minds for over eight years now. They released their demo back in 2013 and swiftly followed it with their debut album "Extinguishing The Flame Of Life" via Mordgrimm, before five years of silence. They returned at the turn of the year with their newest album "Wounds Of Divinity", this time released via the mighty Iron Bonehead Productions. I am late to this but it's better late than never.

Perverticon’s own formulation of black metal is scarily bleak and unforgiving. The instrumentation sits high up in the mix on Thirsting For Ruin, with the wretched screams lying deep below at least during the opening two minutes. When the vocals come to the fore, they are equally as hellish, while the percussion blasts away at speed. The riffs are melodic but unnerving at the same time, with a nod to Swedish metal masters gone by. The metallic wonderment of An Absence Of All But Ashes is plain to hear, as Perverticon strides on with no mercy for anybody or anything,. Vocalist/Drummer Omnicremationist Supreme does an incredible job of combining both duties, while guitarists Uncleanest Invictus and Necrosadistic Elite (who also delivers bass) add their own tortured signatures to the album.

Even the truest of believers will be dragged into the depths of hell thanks to Cold Embrace Of Sanctity. It reminds you of how hollow the devout are and in doing so, teaches you not to follow the flock. Powerful and endearing to the ears of those who wish to take the left hand path. There’s a hypnotising feeling that washes over you during The Cease Of Absolution. It’s not as if Perverticon are trying to brainwash you and their message isn’t as much subliminal as it is liminal. They just have a knack when it comes to writing extremely good and catchy black metal. There’s literally no let up during “Wounds Of Divinity” and Divine Amusement For Pitiless God just fuels the flames even more with blasphemic lyrics and a constant barrage from the guitars and drums. It’s more barbaric than ambient but it still has plenty of atmosphere. 

Perverticon are at their most urgent as they launch headfirst into The Apostates Communion, as the first verse is filled with double-bass that borders on inhuman, before the tempo settles down into more sedate territory (briefly). There’s no single approach from the band, as they switch tempos up and down depending on the mood and in turn create truly listenable music. The second half of the record is more urgent as a whole and Breath Of Sulphur/Aura Of Flies is slightly more avant-garde than the songs before it (if that’s the correct way to describe it). It’s a tad more off-kilter and the riffs are again more metallic and treble-laden. It bears all the hallmarks of a Swedish band but one that’s clearly enjoying their music. 

Penultimate song Extracorporeal Climax is a mighty song that shows off both their technical and song-writing prowess very effectively. It’s over before you know it and as it ends, the haunting choral singing of Holy Gifts From Skinless Hands greets you. It’s a really well placed sample that gives way to the most furious black metal on “Wounds Of Divinity”. It rounds out a record that’s got everything you want when it comes to black metal. The musical maturity is on full show and Perverticon proves that they are more than ready to step up to higher eschelons. Excellent.

You can stream "Wounds Of Divinity" and purchase it on all formats below via Iron Bonehead Productions - 

Perverticon - https://www.facebook.com/pvcult

Iron Bonehead Productions - https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions/

Interview: Jurgen van den Brand (Roadburn Records)

I little while ago, I contacted Roadburn Records on the Netherlands, to ask them about the label, Roadburn and the releases that have seen the light of day due to the festival, and those that will see the light of day soon. Label owner and Roadburn Festival co-organiser Jurgen van den Brand was kind enough to take some time out of his day to answer my questions. Read on...

TNIO: Can you provide a brief history into the formation of Roadburn Records?

Jurgen: Roadburn Records started in 2008 as an outlet for me to release music I liked. I was organising Roadburn Festival with Walter and had all those contacts and all that music that came in. At the time it was mainly studio albums like White Darkness (Jason from Celestial Season/Bong-Ra) and The Angelic Process. I also set up the recording of all Roadburn sets around the same time, first only for streaming purposes. But then I heard the Wolves In The Throne Room recordings from 2008 and I thought: we have to do something with these as they add to the studio recordings. So I did and a lot of titles like Voivod, Ulver. Bong, Bongripper, Chelsea Wolfe and more followed. I started the label at home but my girlfriend told me to get all that shit out of the house when it got too big ;-). Now I share an office with Southern Lord Europe in Amsterdam which is working out pretty well.

How do you decide on the artist performances that are released? Is it driven by the band or artist themselves and how much input do you have as a label?

Normally all gigs are recorded so in theory all can be used. Of course with big bands like Opeth or Electric Wizard you know you are never gonna get permission but all the rest is indeed a combination of gigs I was blown away by or people whose judgement I trust really liked. I can’t see all the gigs at Roadburn but I try to at least see one in full every day. And yes sometimes bands mail me as well. Fu Manchu for instance asked if we had the 2003 set available and luckily we had so I could release it on vinyl and they will do it on their own label later on.

Of all of the “Live At Roadburn” releases you’ve worked on, which one would you say is your favourite and why?

That is a difficult question as as you know Roadburn music is pretty versatile. We started out as a pretty straight forward stoner/doom/psychedelic festival but it developed into a festival for all kinds of interesting and intense music. So some days I’m in the mood for the full brutal onslaught that is Nihill or Mizmor, other days I like to put on Yob or Elder. It depends, like with everybody I guess. 

What have been your favourite live performances at Roadburn?

Swans in 2011 was definitely a special one for me as both Michael Gira’s career and our development of the festival kind of came together. We started to do more experimental stuff and Swans got such a drive in their music it was a perfect combination. Certainly because Swans has been my favourite band since the 80s. Gira liked it as well as he came back again as a visitor later. 

Can you provide any teasers for future “Live At Roadburn” releases?

Well Hell is coming out this October, I just put a track from that performance on Bandcamp (roadburn.bandcamp.com). And also the Oranssi Pazuzu 2017 set on the main stage is about to go to the plant. That was a gig I really really liked. There’s also some stuff planned for the next 6 months that I am really happy about, more news on that later.

I can’t think of any other label that release records so closely linked to a festival like this. Roadburn as a festival is carving a big legacy amongst both the heavy music and artistic scenes. How proud are you to be part of that legacy?

Not on this scale no. Or some releases from big festivals that artists do themselves. As far as being proud, yes I am proud of getting good music to the people. If it’s by organising a festival or releasing records on my label, it’s really the same thing. It started out as a way to get the music out that Walter and me liked. The label for me is a continuation of that. 

You can stream Helmzmen from the new Hell: Live At Roadburn 2018 record, which is currently up for pre-order, via bandcamp below:-

You can buy physical copies via bandcamp above and also from Burning World Records here - 

https://www.burningworldrecords.com/

Roadburn Records - https://www.facebook.com/roadburnrecs/

Roadburn Festival - https://www.facebook.com/roadburnfestival/

False - Portent

Labels: Gilead Media

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 12 Jul 2019

Tracklist:

1. A Victual For Our Dead Selves

2. Rime On The Song Of Returning

3. The Serpent Sting, The Smell Of Goat

4. Postlude

Minneapolis (Minnesota, USA) black metal band False recently released their newest opus, following the "Hunger" EP from 2017 (and the "Neither Path Nor Gate" Decibel Flexi from May of this year). This time, they've chosen four songs spanning over forty-minutes and in turn have elected to truly take the listener on a journey of intensity and intrigue. "Portent" was released earlier this month via Gilead Media on vinyl, on cd and also digitally.

False’s black metal has become a thing of melodic majesty of late. Not melodic in a watered down way, but an engaging one. Album opener A Victual For Our Dead Selves is a case in point, as following those initial bars the music contained within is symphonic thanks to the guitar work and the keys, as it backs up the possessed vocals. It’s frenetic as well, with a tempo that allows the band to put a huge amount of music into not a lot of time (in the grand scheme of things anyway). That journey I was talking about above begins here and False drags you in deep. 

The tempo and the textured black metal doesn’t let up on Rime On The Song Of Returning. It’s as if it’s a mere movement as opposed to an actual song. This time though, False injects it with some pace changes that draw it into mid-paced territory at times. The synths/keys do a great job of harnessing the more sensitive side of the band, though they’re probably not there for that reason alone. The mix of extremity and warmth works so well. 

The third full song on “Portent”, The Serpent Sting, The Smell Of Goat, takes the form of incredibly atmospheric blackened doom filled with whale-song like guitar riffs and percussion that relies less on complete battery and instead on restrained backdrops to what is quite orchestral and ambient. As pretentious as my description may seem, there are so many facets to False’s sound that it could be painted in many ways. This is after all the longest number on “Portent” and also the most entrancing. 

It’s fitting that it’s now raining heavily outside, as the sound of it makes for a perfect bedfellow to the music contained here. Album closer Postlude and its dramatic piano drowns out Mother Nature for the briefest of moments as it lets just enough light into the room and into your heart. “Portent” is a subtle album that’s pulled forwards by it’s ever evolving song-writing. False is most definitely not false. 

You can stream "Portent" and order it on both physical formats below:-

False - https://www.facebook.com/falseofficial/

Gilead Media - https://www.facebook.com/gileadmedia/

Sutekh Hexen/夢遊病者 (Sleepwalker) - Split 7"

Labels: Sentient Ruin Laboratories

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 17 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Sutekh Hexen - ནག་པ་

2. 夢遊病者 (Sleepwalker) - 37.8227537-122.2505281

Today's been a gloomy and wet muggy day, so the perfect backdrop for this uncomfortable new split release from Californian black metal/noise duo Sutekh Hexen and their Japanese experimental brethren Sleepwalker. It features one song from each band and was release in May via Sentient Ruin Laboratories, housed it what is one of the nicest looking sleeves of any release all year. Limited to just 250 vinyl copies.

Sutekh Hexen’s ནག་པ་ is a piece truly befitting the band’s mystique. Their droning, industrially harsh black metal crawls through just over six minutes of playing time and in doing so, renders you incapable. A bit like sleep paralysis, it creeps up on you with feedback-laden guitar and ambience, while the screams that rest in the background are ghostly and distant but nonetheless torturous. Just like their previous split with Hissing, they explore the far reaches of the psyche where only darkness exists. The only small specks of light coming from the subtle melody that tries to escape.

夢遊病者 (Sleepwalker) contribute  37.8227537-122.2505281, which could be longitude/latitude coordinates (maybe). The song is an experimental one as alluded to in the opening paragraph of this review when describing the band. It’s roots are in black metal but you’re greeted with traditional instruments, jazz and twin-guitar riffs that morph into walls of sound at times. It all fits as one yet everything seems totally independent and 夢遊病者 seem to be on another plain entirely. 

This split is very for those who happily explorer the outer reaches of extreme music. Not quite deconstructed enough to be called anti-music, it’s left to the listener to truly interpret it. Boundaries are there to be pushed and this split does that and does it with grace and poise. 

You can stream and purchase the 7" both in physical and digital formats via Sentient Ruin Laboratories below:-

Sutekh Hexen - https://www.facebook.com/sutekhhexenofficial/

夢遊病者 (Sleepwalker) - https://vnkv.bandcamp.com

Sentient Ruin Laboratories - https://www.facebook.com/SentientRuin/