When I heard there was going to be a release by an Ohio supergroup consisting of members of FISTULA, RUE, RUNE and MADMAN MUNDT, I have to admit that I was a little worried. What could this offer that couldn’t be had from the aforementioned bands? Noting the ultra-retro artwork of pencil drawn naked chicks and pentagrams, I soldiered on to take a listen.

Boy, they do really hate us and hope we die. This is some of the angriest, most vile post-doom sludge that ever crawled from the deep and quivered to life. The mixture of primitive construction, repetitive droning and somber feelings create a mood of total loss. Part blackened metal and part feedback laden doom form a crust that nary an ice pick could rupture. The songs here are from slow and crushing, to a more mid-paced rumble, not unlike some 90’s thrash gone horribly dark. Although the music is all of similar construction, and it feels like it runs together into one 40+ minute song, the intensity and emotion behind it makes it all good.

Produced by Vince Burke (BEATEN BACK TO PURE), gives more depth to this single dimension affair, and makes it sound (production-wise) much better that some of the music it draws its roots from (bands like CELTIC FROST, ENTOMBED and CHURCH OF MISERY come to mind). Musicianship here is not flashy, because it doesn’t have to be, they put the music out there and they don’t give a fuck if you like it or not. They are not here to entertain; they are here to bash your skull in; sonically, of course.

So expect more audio intimidation from these gents in the future, and for you younger ones that don’t know who CELTIC FROST is, think LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, DYSTOPIA and HIGH ON FIRE as a starting point. I hate you, but I just want you seriously maimed.

- Murtaugh

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.