En Minor : "When The Cold Truth Has Worn Its Miserable Welcome Out"

I have always loved Phil as a singer. He can really sing when he puts his mind to it. This non metal project is not a hug surpise, but a welcom one to hear him drawing influence from Swans and Nick Cave. The first song has a more minimal neo folk like instrumentation, though more New Orleans dive southern gothic and not druids in the woods styled neo folk. Musically more is going on with "Blue". Thanks to the precussion and bass line. Organs add a more romantic layer in the background. Phil's goes into a lower rasp here. There is more of a back woods swampy Americana feel to "On the Fllor". It drifts more than pulls you into it. This ghostly drone moves in a woozy glide.

"the Dead Can't Dance" is more song focused, with enough motion to draw you back in. They shift back into more of a melancholy despondence to drone upon with "Love Needs Love".  "Warm Sharp Bath Sleep" , picks up from the lethargy that drapes most of the album into more of a folk strum. This is more engaging and is the dynamic shift the album needs . "Melancholia" is another dreary drone full of brooding. I like the mood , but these moments feel like they are more sound than song. If this was some indie singer sonwriter I might not look at it with such a critical eye, but this guys helped write "Cemetary Gates"  he knows about songwriting. It doesn't suck they are pleasing sounds. Things however begin to pick up a little after this song with " This is Not Your Day" . The guitars have a more folkish strum. Electric guitar melodies are layered over it , though none of this is metal. There is enough of an edge to make it obvious these guys did not come from Mumford & Sons. "Black Mass" continues down this path but with more swagger and melody.

They give the darker droning formula more twang on "Hats Off". I can hear where Tom Waits comparisons might come into play here. I like the feel of "Disposable For You" . It moves well thanks to Jimmy Bower's drumming. There is an unexpected shift in the song midway into it . I will give this album a 9 and see how it grows on me. The droning song are not something I will get a great deal of mileage out of but appreciate it. Coming out this September 4th on Housecore records.