Baltimore’s DARSOMBRA have a knack for emitting sonic vibrations that are simultaneously chilling and quite engaging. “Ecdysis” is the type of disc that is tastiest when enjoyed from start to finish, preferably at high volume while lying on the floor between two large speakers. My roommates and I used to listen to FLOYD and PETER GABRIEL albums that way, and often found it much more sonically engrossing than headphones. But regardless of your preferred musical consumption technique, “Ecdysis” is a disc you need to hear, especially if you’re not normally a fan of ambient, creepin’ algae epics.

These six DARSOMBRA tracks run the gambit from cold, deep space echoes to pounding SWANS-style drum detonations and riffs from an old ST VITUS sound check. “Drag the Carcass” is a drumless, bagpipey morsel with lots of eastern-flavored melodies that build delicious tension to a climactic raving evangelist’s diatribe (I think it’s actually the Reverend Brown from that old “Coming To America” movie, or one of his relatives). Plus, Brian Daniloski’s arousing guitar damage in “My House” is sure to conjure demented visions while driving those pesky rodents back to their holes. DARSOMBRA may not be suitable for the groove-rock purist. In rare cases, listeners experienced dry mouth, headache, and internal bleeding. Hey, I know it’s only drone ‘n roll, but I like it.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.atalossrecordings.com/ecdysis

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