ninehertz

I attended a gig a few years back with three bands – two of which I was extremely excited to see, and opening, a third – Warren Schoenbright – I’d not heard before and wasn’t particularly enamoured by the descriptions of. They were incredible and turned out to be the best band of the night.

Their Sunless album from a couple of years back proved this was a band worth following. I have no particular fondness for industrial, their primary medium, but when it is built upon, innovated and played with as they do, it can be an incredible force. You hear it all on their new two track EP Two Dances for the End of Days.

Pyrhhike is instantly absorbing through its percussive patterns, joined by cold industrial guitars in a blend like some mid-generational point between Petbrick and old Pitchshifter. Those drums somehow wedge in an almost psychedelic mindset, unexpectedly, until the suitably harsh vocals break the spell. Yes, obvious Godflesh thoughts arise, but it has a distinctive flavour to it that is new, an unusual strain running through its core. A clarinet – by guest Claire Knox, of A-Sun Amissa – calls out from the storm, adding to the maelstrom.

The drumming is central to Bacchanalia, driving the mood. Wiry guitars and pained vocals accelerate it into the darkest of corners. It feels like an unholy descent, the weight of the misery increases, the pressure building generating a claustrophobic listening experience. There is something of Ghold’s dark magic in here, albeit from a different genre starting point. The only light available is provided by synths and other electronics, which you cling to to save yourself from drowning in the blackness of the rest of the song.

This is true experimental industrial metal – a genre that can push you away with its inevitable cold reality, here instead drawing you in through unorthodox methods of delivery and change ups, added to the black tendrils that reach out to pull you down. The only downside is that it is all over in twelve minutes, but it is enough to make a serious indentation on your psyche for the remainder of the day.