ninehertz

When we first came across Gout, from Glasgow, a little over a year ago via their Born Rotting EP, we were a little lost for words as to what we were hearing. There’s a doom influenced noise-rock base, but it is so unusually applied and goes in several directions from there to be a true anomaly. Actual Bastard goes even further.

It is always interesting, often baffling, usually excellent. inmate is the first of five songs, noise-rock in a relatively minimal approach as the vocals take the lead in an angry diatribe; pleading, then threatening. The instrumentation finally gets going, and then, of all things, there’s a nu-metal ghost hunting this whole recording. Somehow it fits.

It can be felt elsewhere too, that single shared element with doom of downtuned guitars blurred. On the brilliant I Am a Beacon of Health and Wellbeing this manifests differently again, the guitars now not unlike those from a Will Haven from back in the day. Junk Sick is noise-rock noir, shadowed in a trenchcoat, coasting around darkened alleyways in a disreputable neighbourhood.

There’s time for one more change, one more aspect and element brought in, on the closing Tarmac, whose warped noise and spoken word beginning extends itself almost towards a Scottish-accented The Fragile-era Nine Inch Nails. It is emotionally delivered, laid bare, open and honest. Actual Bastard is capable of confusing you as much as providing pure musical thrills, but repeat listens dampen any awkwardness and leave behind a highly enjoyable and innovative record.