ninehertz

I first came across Ghold upon their release of Galactic Hiss more than a decade ago, and began following them with earnest ever since. Through their Ritual Productions label years and albums, their excellent split with Dead Existence, their further evolution through their last two, Crypt of the Wizard label releases, and a growth in membership to three and now four in their time.

They return, thankfully – as you never quite know if or when it’ll occur – now on Human Worth, with the six-track Bludgeoning Simulations. It is quickly evident that they have lost nothing in terms of their distinctiveness, and that this is up there with the darkest material of their career to date, which is saying something. It is described as being created around themes of loss and isolation, fuelled by anxiety and neurosis.

They have always managed to bridge between droney weirdo atmospheres and heavy, depressive doom like no other, and its here in full show once more. The album has long periods of minimalism enshrouded in darkness, or equally occasional ball of chaos outbursts, never allowing you to settle or predict what is to come.

On Lowest, a mechanised noise rock rumble greets you, slowly starts to form, pieces coming together subtly, so that by the time the warmth in the vocals and guitar line creep in it’s a little while before the surprise of the transition hits home. Leaves sounds at times like an experimental darkened drone set, guitars and drums throbbing inside harsh static-blown winds.

The ten minutes of Place to Bless a Shadow are an ordeal in themselves – whispered vocals in what feels like a spiritual setting, eerie but quasi-religious ghostly auras abound, minimal instrumentation led percussively. The vocals become increasingly prominent, increasingly biting with an anger, a rising volume and tension, to the point – more than seven minutes in – it has exorcised the grounds to allow the band to fully come together, a track that feels like its own full horror narrative.

The whole album experience feels more than just listening to music. The scars that have driven the artistic process are imbued within the record, and it impresses upon you this tangible sensation of being involved in its world, even in the few lighter musical moments (such as Fallen Debris). It is uniquely experienced album, uniquely Ghold, as they always have been.