Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts

Thursday 14 March 2024

Wargasm "Venom" (2023)

 

With refined stylistic focus, Wargasm return, honing in on their own antagonizing identity. With additional ferocity, the spirit of a Nu Metal revival is in the air. With Venom, a consistent streak of Gold Cobra era Wes Borland guitar riffs guides their Electro-Punk mania to gratifying bursts of aggression. The duo strip out the genres tired downtrodden spirit, infusing it with obnoxious club drums, dizzying studio manipulations and generalized chaos. Underpinned by an enthused energy fit for the stage, most these cuts play with visions of them tearing it up in front of a lively crowd.

Fred Durst shows up for a massive, bouncy collaboration, making influences clear and known. Its a fantastic endorsement. These big riff songs tend to be the standouts. A string of early tracks lacked these guitar elements and it didn't land the same. When the unhinged rage and jilted grooves collide, this pair are in their element. Later in the record the metallic side gets explored in varying intensities to great enjoyment. I've enjoyed Venom immensely but I'm keen to see them mature and take these ideas further.

Rating: 7/10

Friday 8 March 2024

Applefish "Luminous" (2023)

 

This third of three leaves me with less to remark but Applefish has caught my attention and made it onto my coveted Temporal Focus playlist. Luminous is a lighter companion, less suggestive of its theme despite the track titling signaling intent. Lofty ruminations suspend animation and linger within a sparkling display of apt synths and familiar ambiguities. Each song is a flavor of calm, occasionally drifting into serenity.

 A couple of tracks offer some curiosity and mystique but nothing dramatic. The opening Star Trails is my favorite, taking the slow elongated swell of these synth arrangements and gracing them with a looping melody that drags the soundscape reluctantly over a powerful yet subtly delivered chord arrangement. This level of craft seemed lacking elsewhere but each song works with a different energy.

Rating: 5/10

Monday 4 March 2024

Applefish "Astrosat" (2022)

 

Had I not discovered Pale Blue Dot first, I may have passed up this record. Release prior, Astrosat is milder affair, another set of Cosmic Ambience pieces that dwell on their initial offerings. Soothing, calm and tranquil in nature, its album art suggests a peaceful surrender to the stillness of orbiting a planet. Spacey synths, airy ambiguities and softly droning astral melodies, these arrangements revel in the present and persist with little in the way of dramatics. Snoozey by design, these peaceful ambiences seduce with slumber, a sense of ease and remaining present.

The closing Primordial Soup and Particles both liven up. Mechanical percussive whirls and expansive synth melodies, a hastening of pace that exits this serene setting on an obscure note. Only Into The Aether toyed with unease and tension. Its slight eeriness is a delight, as if on the cusp of curiosity that might suddenly sour. It was my favorite among these stellar temporal tunes. I'm glad I gave this one a go!

Rating: 5/10

Sunday 3 March 2024

Kyros "Mannequin" (2024)

 

Is this our first heavy hitter? An obvious contender for my album of the year, Kyros deliver on an enticing Esoterica teaser. All three tracks our found nestled snugly among this lively set of exuberant songs bursting with colorful energy. After a quaint, folksy introduction - reminiscent of classic Prog Rock acoustics, the album roars to life with Showtime. Steel drums rapid a melody suggestive of time passing by, in chimes a big aggrandizing tune fondly reminding me of Genesis in the late 80s and one by one the instruments pile in. Grooving baselines, bustling drums patterns and dazzling keyboard leads paint a theatrical thunder birthed in cheese decades ago.

Kyros however, embrace this bold, tenacious execution of punchy note-to-note refrains and execute them with stunning swagger. Each track brings flavor and distinction, their commonality an undying dexterity of craft that fleshes out many sections with animated instrumentation. That's not to suggest the record doesn't have its timely lulls and respites. The balance is wonderful, a fruitful execution of ideas.

Ghosts Of You has become my standout track. Again the 80s reign supreme with big grinning melodies. One could re-imagine this as an ear worming theme song from a daytime television show. Again, executed with class, the lyrical tone and cadence chimes with its punchy percussion reminiscent of Michael Jackson's Bad. Its a common theme for the record but this modern vibrancy invigorates these old themes.

Its final two songs take a subtle departure, focusing on big metallic stunts between more middle of the road arrangements. Although great entertainment, the increased aggressive might, reminds you of a coming end to the session. Not a blemish but observation as that 80s cheese I'm so fond of gets stripped back. This foursome are awsum and I'm not surprised they have pulled together such a strong cohesive album.

Rating: 9/10

Monday 26 February 2024

Applefish "Pale Blue Dot" (2023)

Another champion of Spotify's algorithm, Applefish's astronautical perspective immediately captivated my attention. One for my Temporal Focus playlist, these reflective droning ambiences contrast shimmering Ethereal tones with earthly sounds. From footsteps dragged across a beach, to trickling water or the chirping of birds, most these songs pair natural scenic impressions within suspended swells of lofty ambiguous synths that cast a memorizing calmness from even its tense outings.
 
The aura is impeccable, soft bass rumbles and airy voices drift through its drifting formless presence. Melody is absent, notes arise, groan and sink, yawning on temporal stretches. From dramatic to soothing, these captivating swells all conjure emotions fit for the overview effect its title suggests. Only its final track Return To The Tribute induces a cycling electronic melodic tune, which beaks the magical balance as it sees the record out. Pale Blue Dot has a powerful introspective spell to fall under.

Rating: 7/10

Tuesday 13 February 2024

Little Simz "Drop 7" (2024)

 

Simz' output is already steeped in creativity. This EP series serve as a niche place to drop any variety of flavor and this seventh installment arrives in shapely form. Working with producer Jakwob, the pair unleash a hypnotic current of cultural instrumentation, conjuring suggestions of Spanish, Mexican and Latino music with selective percussion sounds. Arrangements flow with sharp rhythm and lean bass thudding, fitting for club vibes. Atmospherically sparse, the music feels open and minimal yet the drums shuffle and snap on dense arrangement of complimenting chromatic textures. Its simply slick.

Fever reinforces this cultured embrace, rapping a verse in Portuguese. Mood Swings affirms the club beat as the songs motif drifts through an exploration of escaping into night life. Other lyrics also hint on a therapeutic angle, the music being a means to vent life's frustrations and difficulties, although I didn't dive to deep into them. Drop 7 represents a lean fifteen minutes, one of fruitful creativity that may be a stepping stone to a fresh chemistry. Sim'z masters this new dynamic tone just wonderfully.

Rating: 5/10

Tuesday 6 February 2024

Wargasm "Explicit: The Mixxxtape" (2022)

 

Despite grinding out familiar roars of disgruntled anger, this rebellious, antagonistic duo known as Wargasm, might be one of the fresher breaths of air circulating in a stale Metal community. Underneath its chaotic veneer, the fundamentals may have more in common with the likes of The Prodigy and Aggro-Tech. A constant barrage of unsettled, gritty noise pummels through lively drum machines, sharp distortion guitars, rabid screams and screeching electronics. A fun jumble of unabashed offerings.

 The opening explanation of an all too obvious pun the name is feels redundant. The following five tracks never let up on its ceaseless energy. Gristly lulls and melodic breaks feel like soft dressing for the next moment of madness. Fiery outbreaks of crammed aesthetic erupt on every track, gratifying ensembles of noisy oddities and groovy riffs to latch upon. Tinged with hints of Rap and Nu Metal, its my cup of tea.

The pair do all production themselves. Either an individuals vision or fruits of bouncing ideas of one another, the chaotic webs of wrangled aesthetics they weave are wonderfully unhinged, yet latch onto something that clicks most of the time.

Matlock provides the consistent barrage of angered shouts. Way is a touch understated as an effeminate yet mischievous counterpart. Her presence is similar to Poppy and when in a melodic passage, offers an under explored dimension of their partnership. Wargasm are exciting, this short release is a decent appetizer.

Rating: 5/10

Monday 22 January 2024

Fred Again.. "Actual Life 3" (2022)

 
Actual Life 3 plays like an emotive snapshot of life passing by. Plainly titled in full with assumed start and ending dates, the candid selfie cover continues a trend in this series. Its an unambiguous touch to illuminates its personal nature. A social intimacy flows, human voices woven into these compassionate expressions, channeled through a dreamy endless night, intoxicated on the club floor. Slick Downtempo, danceable, rhythmic drives power us through warm Ethereal melodies and uplifting nightly energy. Snippets of casual conversation and private exchanges flicker between tender voices singing on relationship struggles with positive resolve. This all feels like a harmonious reflection of Fred's life, illuminating the human connections.

With a steady and gradual building of instrumental intensity, he steers these songs on an organic flow, never static, always inching towards the next subtle shift. Most songs find a swooning swell to amp up the rhythm to a predictable lively climax, yet always gratifying. Its gravitas is one of escape, a seriousness lingers in its mellow passing demeanor. Tensions unwind, providing release and resolve, lingering on a social maturity. Its forty minutes pass an effortless breeze. Fred never overplays his hand and keeps both mood and groove consistent, leaving all its varying degrees of intensity in anticipation of what flows next. Actual Life is one heck of a breezy listen...

Rating: 7/10

Monday 1 January 2024

Graywave "Planetary Shift" (2021)


Enthralled by Rebirth's swelling descents of darkly Shoegazing magic, Planetary Shift has lingered in its shadow like an egg ready to hatch, not yet finding a final form. Fortunately, I've gotten past this notion. These five tracks are further from the dense, engulfing aesthetics of its successor, they reside closer to the "traditional" Ethereal, Shoegaze, Dreampop soundscape. Crooning in the sombre resonance its shimmering guitar chords echo, each song runs a dreamy trip, usually steering into a familiar distress, yet exploring uplifting phrases too, like on the opening Dreaming, which gleams with a kind warmness. The following Swallow toes the line with soaring ascents to glory before a dreary, distant title track sets up its final two stints.
 
The arch peers into darkness on conclusion, as Like Heaven's catchy chorus bleeds a sombre melody to hint at its closing struggle, which Before delves into. Bringing back that alluring engulfing darkness heard on Rebirth, It is perhaps the catalyst for Jess' natural progression. After establishing its verse chorus loop, the later half ignites with a ferocity as she dials the soaring vocals to another plateau. The music swells, riding its decent into a the void. Stunning music, which again starts from a brighter place. This side has much merit but I find myself magnetized to the darker expressions.

Rating: 5/10

Sunday 24 December 2023

Graywave "Rebirth" (2022)

 
Illuminating attention with an engulfing dreary charm, Graywave, brainchild of Jess Webberley, intensifies their dense Shoegazing Ethereal haze with bustling over drive guitars that swell and shimmer in flushes of bleak beauty. The instruments roar with inviting texture, baselines rumble, showing cracks and grooves, the drums strike with piercing clarity and crispness. Around them a glory of sombre tuneful sounds ripple and shimmer in waves, losing themselves in copious echos and reverberations.

Crudely Dream Pop, oddly catchy by design, these illustrious melodies lure one into its haunting spell. Each track casts its bait, then reels one into thick, heavy surges of descending imminence. Emotions suffer dark and burdensome, yet glimmer with soft introspection. Often feeling like a cathartic release of internal demons and personal grievances that run deep. Its stunning how each song sways in and out of this radiant hell, retaining its alluring colors and selling one on its shadowy descent over and over.

The magic ingredient is Jess' voice who has stunning softness in strength, her gentle tone can ascend and roar with the swells of instrumental gravity beneath her. Its a stunning chemistry from a multi instrumentalist honing in on a purity of self expression. Five fine songs, with the opening Build a masterful ear-worm to binge. This is about as heavy as Shoegazing gets before you call it Metal. To my ears, its akin to Autumn's Grey Solace on steroids. Absolutely loved this, Ive found my next journey it seems!

Rating: 6/10

Saturday 23 December 2023

Ghosts Of Atlantis "3.6.2.4" (2021)

Following up on the competently executed yet mediocre Riddles Of The Sycophants, this debut record managed to grab more of my attention. Despite seeming a touch raw, its Melodic Death Metal leanings and keyboard driven symphonic elements play to its strengths. The latter coming as complimentary flare to primarily Metal songs that navigate the usual array of tropes with an overcast, stormy demeanor.

This metallic temperament allows for strings and orchestration, often muzzled by the guitars, to suggest a mystical swashbuckling theme. Songs feel frantic, at the mercy of howling winds, ocean waves and unending winds. Strip its symphony out and this could be an atypical Metal record for many stints. 2.6.2.4 frequently drops in with big riffs, stomping grooves, galloping chugs to steal the show from its watery theme.

Between it all, heathen clean vocals erupt with surges of epic intent that don't land with the gusto bands like Dimmu Borgir do. In the mid ground were aggression is subdued, a handful of symphonic melodies sway, mostly second fiddle to a rhythmic march, never a key focus. Its as if keys were written second to everything else.

As such, the songs rarely play with consistency but have moments that leap out. Halls Of Lemuria, The Curse Of Man, Poseidon's bow all leap out with roaring riffs not exactly inline with the usual template. In their infancy, this band had writing strengths that didn't fit their intended direction it seems. A curious listen, entertaining, energetic and fun, bustling with an energy lost in a better produced follow up.

Rating: 6/10

Thursday 7 December 2023

In The Nursery "Anatomy Of A Poet" (1994)

In seeking out Neoclassical Darkwave adjacent music, Spotify chalked up this Sheffield based duo who've been active since the 80s. Anatomy Of A Poet features Colin Wilson orating his own poetry in brief stints on various tracks. With its musical concept laid out plain and clear, I've found myself baffled at the disposition between his solemn glum voice and the stunning strings arrangements that meddle around then current percussive trends. Touches of Dance, Industrial and Trip Hop appraise danceable droning drum loops, as cinematic sequences of stellar orchestration muster an emotional elegance. This chemistry is one I've come close to discovering before.

As the album progresses, brief strides of classy composition break up its powerful percussive sway. Acute melodies, subtle chords, unusual instrumentation textures and flashes of electronics craft dreamy hazes that resolve into warming strides of persuasive sound. Then walks in the over pronounced tongue of Colin, his meaty, chocked words break the spell, despite it clearly being central to the records concept.

Arriving at The Seventh Seal, the pair stretch for ambiguous cultural sounds, a tingle of Spanish guitar, sung with a Country tang feels uncomfortable. The following tracks lean further into the poetic waxing and recurring themes has its entrancing energy wain swiftly. The funeral gloom of November Trees almost sparks a spell but the spoken words simply don't align. Its final track, unapologetically embraces the droning cheese of 90s electronic energy, throwing another curb ball to derail what started out as a wonderus musical experience.

Rating: 5/10

Friday 1 December 2023

Nova Twins "Supernova" (2023)

Hailing from London, the Nova Twins are a dynamic duo with a typically modern broad assemble of aggressive, abrasive inspirations. Clearly children of the Internet era, one can hear echos of 90s Rap Rock energy and Nu Metal syncopation, with 00s darker electronic music shades manifesting beyond prior crossover restraints. Attitude is its a driving force, shouted raps, soft screams and occasionally Pop R&B tinged sung lines, all emphasizing prominence and status spitting in the face of external adversity.

 Their songs are varnished with an electronic, noisy textural vaneer. Often crashing in with crunchy guitar grooves, the accompanying atmosphere feels as unconventional as un-melodic sounds weave into the fold. Somewhat similar to the worbling of Dubstep drops, these noisy groans are softly abrasive, hard and barely rhythmic yet mixed with a forgiving presence to make their songs rather accessible to my ears.

Its an odd approach considering there is a lack of melody and catchy knacks to latch onto. The drumming is rather dull and predictable, leaving a lot resting on the vocals and grooves. Choose Your Fighter is the records best track, a moment where the instrumental ideology swells around a compelling moshable groove. The rest of the record falls short of this feat and feels mediocre, occasionally dull on its weaker cuts.

In a way, I am reminded of Limp Bizkit, a love hate band who's fans were most likely fresh to the ideas of Metal and Rap. I could easily see my teenage latching on to the wildness this record presents but as a seasoned listener, little here feels special, I've heard it all before. They do show signs of promise however, some musical evolution on this chemistry may turn heads in the future but right now its a touch juvenile.

Rating: 5/10

Sunday 26 November 2023

Ghosts Of Atlantis "Riddles Of The Sycophants" (2023)

 

Even as I sit to write, the words don't come to me. Riddles Of The Sycophants is fantastically competent and yet distinctly generic. The evolution of Symphonic Black Metal, spurred on by late era Dimmu Borgir, has ventured into metallic and orchestral extremity. Weaving mightily angular and rhythmic guitars with stabbing gusts of nightly symphony, the genre's songwriting has escaped the chains of its foundations. No longer simplistic jabs of synth melody and rhythm guitars, the sound has taken on a vivid theatrical intensity, best realized on Shade Empire's classic Omega Arcane.

 Ghosts Of Atlantis failed to tell me why they are different. With the many spins, I've not felt a unique character emerge, or even defining moments in songs that grabbed my attention. Despite this, its lack of flair and originality hasn't hurt a single listen. Its been a welcome venture through turbulent terrain, traversed with elegance and a firm grasp on the dynamics of its varied instrumentation. They serve to aid its core vision, in doing so, lacks any individual magnetism. Its been quite the odd experience, a wonderfully executed record that fails to bring anything new to the table.

Rating: 5/10

Saturday 4 November 2023

Kyros "Esoterica" (2023)

 

Although just a three track single, Esoterica's lengthier twenty minutes make it feel worthy of comment. The music however, certainly perks the ears! Bright, luminous, bold and daring, Kyros take the glory of Progressive instrumentation head on. The wall of sound production and glossy finish celebrates their musical artistry with unrivaled vibrancy on all fronts. Punchy expression and warming hooks feel stacked, complimenting layers of sound, yielding a sonic aesthetic housing ripe song writing.

 Its opening title track infuses and grossing percussive dance floor energy. As one is pulled in by its cruising pace, classic House pianos hit to affirm its inspirations before embarking on a jiving instrumental foray. The cohesion is superb, gears shift as we propel down a musical highway. The following Illusions Inside takes a steadied yet punchy approach with its drums. Slow yet big grooves carefully guiding us into its magnetic climax. The vocal arrive in a crooning swell, masculine and effeminate voices exchange lyrical expressions, harmonizing in a captivating spell.

its ten minute closer, The End In Mind, had less sway over me. In comparison, it didn't quite connect with a focal feature yet the song meanders all over the place like a jam session recurring to a theme on occasion. Its impressive, lots of remarkable dexterous performances yet not quite ticking the memorable box. Good to see this band are in a wonderfully creative place! I wonder if these songs will appear on a record soon.

Rating: 5/10

Friday 13 October 2023

Gunship "Unicorn" (2023)

 

Five years proved a worthy wait, Unicorn returns riding into a surreal synthetic sunset of its own design. Fully focused on fundamentals, the British duo Gunship fine tune their classy Synthwave sound, pulling no new strings and sticking to proven ideals. To achieve this, songwriting must reign supreme. That challenge is met with an impressive cast of musical genius. Returning unions with Tim Cappello and Carpenter Brut prevail again, alongside giants like John Carpenter and Dave Lombardo, once of Slayer. An impressive roster, who admittedly appear on the records stronger tracks.

Its catchiest hooks, the lyrically infectious cadences and tantalizing neon synth melodies, a fruitful yield of collaborative chemistry. A delight early on within its loaded roll out. Vocal variety proves a strength, former Fightstar band mate Charlie Simpson, one of the best fits among a talented cast. The band Health bring keen Prodigy flare to the fold and Power Glove seems the most subdued arrangement given there reputation for lively retro VGM inspirations. Ghost plays a sleepy lull between the energetic dance-floor thrusts of Weaponised Love and Darkness For Dreams.

 In this final stretch the record steadies into a soft groove, arriving with less flash in the pan. Focused on its lyrical manifestations of nostalgic imaginations, the lengthy hour traverses its final temperaments with moody indulgences and subdued flavors. The love of craft and care in handling these inspirations percolates its glossy aesthetic, bowing out with strides for anthemic heights that landed off a little to my ears. Unicorn is a brilliant return. Not a perfect record but seemingly the best of their three chapters.

Rating: 7/10

Monday 2 October 2023

Marconi Union "Weightless" (2012)

 

Discovered through a scientific podcast about the effects of music on our psychology and physiology, Weightless has been studied to learn of its calming effect on listeners. This was no mystery to me, as someone who suffers with anxiety at times, I learned long ago the powerful magic of ease Ambient music can bestow upon its recipient. Unlike my typical plunges into random areas of this genre, British duo Marconi Union's approach fits snugly into a relaxing yet artful region of Ambient I adore.

Lengthy stints drift drearily through ambiguous atmospheres, the jaws of danger remaining inanimate. A soothing stillness passes its balmy brood, sheltered from rainy weathers subdued. Melodies linger in limbo, sluggish slumps of tempo mask meaning and purpose. Tensions are tranquil, suspense soothing and apprehensions amiss.

 Weightless' tonality and textures holds many unknown mysteries that could easily be manipulated into darkly stressful taunts. Unease and suspense sit central to its blueprint yet the ambiguous design is played perfectly. Disconnected, un-anchored melodies strip out all identity and meaning. The remaining impressions have no tilt, you will find nothing happy, upbeat or joyous at play among its six parts.

Its lack of emotion is perhaps why Weightless is so soothing, a removal of drama and noise from ones mind as we indulge at restful tempos. Cuts two and five elevate slightly with soft percussion, the later including soft Downtempo like bass, reminiscent of Yagya. Its all wonderfully orchestrated, the endless dawning of its airy synths grasping one in its moment. Instant classic, one for the Temporal Focus playlist.

Rating: 9/10

Sunday 17 September 2023

Slowdive "Everything Is Alive" (2023)

With an Ethereal haze of gristly guitar distortions casting adoring shadows across humble origins, Shanty sets a shimmering Shoegazing tone, justifying the six year wait since the return of Slowdive. What follows doesn't delve deeper but strips apart the opening ideas. The smothering meld of soft electronic melodies, contrasting lush acoustic guitars and dreamy voices housed within its dense aesthetic are explored from different angles. The following songs explore crevasse of this sleepy haze, drifting through its mellow moods gracefully with thoughtful craft and intent.

 The upbeat rhythms were a driving force for satisfaction. Subdued percussion lent a soft sullen glow lurching behind its shimmering exteriors. Alife but more so Kisses benefited from the drive of kick snare grooves, giving pace and direction to its indulgent aesthetic reverberations. It was in these moments that the music animated into life, yielding one to its magic. Otherwise, its slightly broodish temperament leaned to beautiful shades of sadness that lacked a commanding grip on ones attention.

Chained To A Cloud was an odd song, its sorrowful looping melody mesmerizing, pulling one through a gentle gloom inescapable of sorrows. I would have once adored such a downer. Its likely my appreciation for the composition reflects my distance to darker cuts these days. I used to revel in such moody music but with age it feels more burdensome than relatable. For me, this record steered into subtly sombre places I didn't connect with despite it being such a wonderfully curated aesthetic treat.

Rating: 6/10

Sunday 27 August 2023

Bal-Sagoth "The Power Cosmic" (1999)

 

Scouring the web for more unturned stones within Symphonic Black Metal, I found my way to fellow Brits Bal-Sagoth. Although not akin to my favored Dimmu Borgir incarnation, The Power Cosmic has been a lively listen! It possibly representing the band in their best stride, with an aesthetic production scaling a welcoming clarity.

Far from the dark depths of Black Metal's reach, its extreme nature, felt through bombarding drums, bombastic orchestration and howling screams, would feel unfitting elsewhere. The musics core characteristics are Fantasy and Epic in nature, weaving big symphonic adventures akin to the likes of recent discovery Fairyland.

Bal-Sagoth's identity lacks a distinction beyond the merits of its various textures and intensities, sticking firmly inline with much of the Fantasy music I've heard before. Its array of synthesized instruments emulate triumphant trumpets and battle horns in aggressive strides. Harps and stringed sounds deliver the swashbuckling adventurous melodies. Behind it all, a soft, ever present glow of choral airy synths.

The rhythm section mostly acts as a sturdy foundation. Lead guitars erupt into the music frequently with squeals and creative arrangements to add an expression less rigid than its symphonic counterparts. Its all stitched together with touches of Progressive Rock influence as the band shake up their own blueprints on occasion.

Overall the experience rarely transcends a sense of expectancy dark fantasy styling offers. Great as an album to serve a mood but lacking stand out moments. Its mostly a pleasant dazzle of upbeat, gleaming instruments sounding off battle-cries. At forty minutes, The Power Cosmic is a lean and concise offering, shy of true glory.

Rating: 6/10

Monday 24 July 2023

Godflesh "Purge" (2023)

 

Six years on from the remarkable inspirations of Post-Self, the Industrial duo return lacking a refresh in creativity. Purge echos their early 90s output. Harsh bounce oriented drum samples loop incessant. With a thud, thump and hammer, simple kick snare patterns drone in repetition. Over top, burly shouts ripple into the void and dissonant guitars toy with distressing chords wedged between chunks of dense meaty groove. Its forty four minutes explore these ideas rigidly, with little to break the norm.

This gives Purge a keen sense of self. A moody, downtrodden, alienated and grim tone to wallow within. Highly repetitious, barely shifting tempo or switching gears, each song grinds out its point. The later tracks delve into atmosphere with expansive reverb casting shadowy spells and offering respite from its aggressive counterparts. Its a subtle diversity yet never leaves this deeply troubled musical space.

Army Of Non raises an eyebrow for its inclusion of a classic Hip Hop sample "Check it out yall". Its nestled quietly in there, a throwback to Pure and Let The Rhythm Hit Em. Broadrick's affinity for Hip Hop never quite manifesting into something radical, remaining a warm peculiarity for fans like myself. This moment gave a glimmer of what might follow but as laid out its a consistently dark and dismal record retreading old ideas competently but leaving one with an appetite for revived freshness.

Rating: 6/10