Anatomy of Habit : "Paired Sentinels"

 

This is the third album I've reviewed by this band, and with each one, they seem to be getting it a little more dialed in. The album has four songs, two of which are over thirteen minutes. The second and last song, respectively.The seven and a half minutes. opening track to this one finds them taking the post-industrial throb and jamming it out with a hypnotic drone that adds layers of sound to build it dynamically. Not complex arrangements, really just taking the theme and running with it. The baritone vocals calling out amid it all. It works in this context, but not sure I would want an entire album of this. 

The second song, "Conditions of Freedom," finds the bass line opening things up, and strummed guitars adding texture. The vocals are less ominous and sound like Interpol trying to pay tribute to Swans, as they are more of a chant than a verse-chorus arrangement. The Swans' influence is much more present here than on the first song, but not as obvious to the common ear as on their last album. Midway into the second song, they ease the build down and add more dynamics. It also gets moodier. before bringing it back in with a pound that recalls Swan's earlier angrier days. 

"The Importance of Risk" is more rooted in their own identity. The bass line grooves more. The vocals shift away from the Michael Gira influence and toward more of a stoned speculation. There is a bit of a hypnotic drone even here, which is just this band's thing. The vocals are a narrative, but not adding a great dealaside a human element. There is a little brighter, more hopeful mood to the title track that closes the album. The guitar melody that comes in brings a more melancholic edge. This might be the album's melodic moment that also brings a tinge of Pink Floyd to things for this reason. They also get closest to their most metal moment on this album with the riff it all builds up into.  I will give this album a 9, as I think they continue to grow as a band. 

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Deeper Graves : "the Colossal Sleep"

 The debut of Jeff Wilson's excursion from metal into post-punk, as a solo outing was adequate, I feel he has a better handle on this brand of darkness in his other band Chrome Waves. At the time of the first album's release it seemed the trend of ex- metal musicians crossing over into post punk had reached the high-water mark and the band wagon still continued to roll. Though I can hear the blistered traces of Nachtmystium on the opening track despite it being more locked into an atmospheric drone. The vocals are a texture mixed into the back which creates more sonic heaviness. 

This proves to be more effective than what happens on "Escape Velocity".  On second listen the vocals were not as ineffective as they sounded on the first pass through the song, I think the problem is it plays off too many played out revivalist tropes which has become like hearing a cover band play all the radio rock hits you have heard from decades of past Yes, "In Cold Blood" does sound a great deal like Skinny Puppy, but that is a sound that is a lot less imitated, so it is not as stale as being in a bar and hearing a band cover "I Fought the Law" for the 1000th time. Sonically it is a great deal more appealing. "150000 Lives" is more of an atmospheric piece that plays more to his strengths as a guitarist. Despite the shortcomings of the vocals the music compensates on "Corridors" to make it an interesting listen. 

They split the difference with the more Skinny Puppy sound and the post rockish ambiance gone kraut rock on the closing song and the results are pretty stunning perhaps making it the album's best song. The blend perfecting a sound with a melodic flow that proves you can write a great song of a drone; everything just takes balance. They do a great deal more sonically with this album, so it is an improvement for sure. I will give this album a 9 as it shows growth.  

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Wreck & Reference : "Absolute Still Life"

Saying I have been a big fan or these guys might be an exaggeration of admiration. I began following them when they released "No Youth" back in 2012. Since I have typically made it a point to check out and review their releases since. Am I enough of a fan that I would leave the comfort of my house to see them if they came into town ? It would really depend on who they are playing w ith and unless money was flowing like wine at country club, not likely I would spring the 20 bucks on a shirt. If you have read this blog on a some what regular basis you might predict which bands that would happen for. The new album does interest me as it seems to be a darker turn. Imagine if Andy Dick was  making a goth album it might sound like the opening track. I know I brought up the King Missile comparison on the last time I reviewed these guys, but it is back. There is more going on and it's more experimental and dynamic.Things begin to take an even darker tune with the somber musing of " Eris Came to Me at Night' . I had to give this one a second listen,as it is very subdued and works of a murmured narrative.

 I really like the cold robotic groove to the surprisingly melodic 'stubborn lake"   The go back to the more King Missle sound on "What Goes In and Comes out". It works but not the best song on the album as I prefer the previous song. Heavy is not a currency they are really dealing in on a regular basis , but comes closer with the anguished vocals of  'what IS A Gift. "."in uniform" is almost more atmospheric than a song, since these guys stock and trade is all manner of weirdness I will let it count as a song.  "Dumb Forest" is an interesting commentary on sexuality. It's back in the King Missile mode , but the lyrics make up for a great deal.  I am big on lyrics and a song that might not win me over in and of itself, can tip the balance with good lyrics. "Amends" is another timid song that sound like Bright Eyes on harsher drugs and what ever Conner does. He comes closer to singing singing here. The beat is minimal and jagged. These lyrics are more self depreciating and not as appealing to me. 

The album ends with a denser heavier sound, but heavy in the same way Xiu Xie, can be. Only marginally darker than previous songs. It goes progress into atmosphere. I will give this album an 8 there are a couple songs I really like, but it is not likely I would listen to it on a regular basis if it was in my iPod, if you are a fan of the more avant garde, post industrial scene,tho would be a since addition for shuffle mode in following up an album like new Pinkish Black.Being relased on the Flenser.