ninehertz

Two fine bands from our underground, one signing out for good, the other growing from strength to strength. Belk it is who are no longer together, sad news to hear but with this parting gift; Casing carry on, exploding the path forward with every step they take.

Belk prove why their end is a loss immediately, on the first of their two tracks, Flayed. It is a spin-cycle of noise, weird and with a groove stomp beneath it all. It is lo-fi low-key glorious in its odd lunacy. Cloak of Bile and Oil signs them out, gargled, creepy vocals into sonic-blasting grind - manic again. What a way to blow out, both in terms of the sheer berserk chaos of it all, but sounding so vibrant with it, a band you want to hear more of, to see live - not be left with this as an ending note.

Casing have proven themselves to be an essential band to follow in the UK for a few years now. Their album of last year was superb, and they're even better on stage, an electrifying, terrifying experience. Their two songs show their two common sides - the first, L.U.A.N.L.B. is electronic noise, as is Casing's way, blurring into static overloaded end, whilst D.T.H.D.T.C. is furious hardcore with an industrial edge, sounding angrier and more inventive than any other band in the underground.

This is out on cassette via the excellent North East label Panurus Productions, bold purveyors of the esoteric and inventive, and this pair showcase that mindset in abundance.