Night Goat :"Totem"

This band from Portland is kicking up an interesting blend of sonic abrasion that is equal parts grunge and death rock on their second album. Imagine L7 jamming with 45 Grave and you are pretty close to what is happening here. The vocals are tortured screams and moaning. It darkly broods like a storm closing in. The way the vocals are layered reminds me of one of my favorite bands to emerge from the LA underground in the late 80s Fear of God. Not that they heard of them, but that is what it sparks, and I mention it because perhaps there is a nostalgia this awakens for me that makes me biased towards this sound. From a songwriting perspective, it is pretty simple stuff. 

"Wendigo" drives with a palm-muted creep that accelerates with more metallic locomotion. There sounds like a male voice joins in the bellowing on this. "Blood Circles" is creepier and more melodic, it slithers more. The same energy possesses the marginally more pounding "Child of Owls". The arrangements are very simple but effective, proving it is not what you play but how you play it. A hypnotic throb occupies most of their songs. The first song that is not on the same level as the first half of the album is the more punk "Rattlesnake". Simple is fine, but the bulk of the one to three go, rush punk is boring, Not a problem with the band as much as the style they veer into. They get back into a better form of gloom for "Ritual of Antlers".

"Skin Walk With Me" feels more like a Melvins song. "Pale Face Lightning" recalls the more punk side of grunge that bands like Mudhoney kicked out, with a similar burly tone coming from the guitars here. There is more sludged-out weight behind the riff that pushes "Death Crow Dance". Her voice adds the needed layer to soften the blow. I will give this album a 9.5, it's an easy listen and a lot of fun. Less death rock and heavier than expected.