The frustration of this conflict catches up with the
band on ‘Half Breed’. Excerpts from Alexander Chee’s book of essays How to Write an Autobiographical Novel are
turned into lyrics for Wattie to trace her steps and those of countless others
locked in repeating patterns, belonging neither here nor there. At first, her
delivery is a momentous scream as she pushes against huge swirls of sludge in
an attempt to move forward. Then, silence creeps in. When the surges of noise
finally die down, Wattie remains alone, beaten, and tired. “The pattern for
history…”, she repeats and trails off in singsong, while her words collapse in
a heart-rending sequence.
After
this breaking point, the latter part of the album is like trying to catch a
breath in search of reprieve after an emotional breakdown. ‘Wited, Still and
All…’ is a soft and broken, but strangely discordant cut, while ‘Of This Ilk’
and ‘Vital’ allow the more musically daring sides of the group to surface, with
start-stop rhythms and razing riffs fencing the mass of metal aftershocks. As
the album nears its end, there is a sense of something huge moving past just
beyond the reach of senses, leaving a trail of subtle melodies behind. A way
forward where there was none before. (The Quietus)
LISTEN
No. 10 Rey Sapienz and the Congo Techno Ensemble - Na
Zala Zala
No. 11 Moin - Moot!
No. 12 Operant - Traumkörper
No. 13 Moor Mother – Black Encyclopedia of the Air
Νο.
14 Converge & Chelsea Wolfe - Bloodmoon: I
No. 15 Don Zilla - Ekizikiza Mubwengula
Νο.
16 Restive Plaggona - Restive Plaggona
Νο.
17 Irreversible Entanglements – Open the Gates
Νο.
18 Scorn – The Only Place
Νο.
19 Alexis Marshall - House of Lull House of When
No.
20 Crystal Geometry - Distressing Visions
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