I don’t know what they classify as “heavy rock” in Canada but if ever there was a matching genre which does a band an injustice, this is it. In fairness, we’re also promised “rough, in your face trash rock”. I’m not sure that covers what I heard here, either.
I think the point here is that it’s not about the genre or description but about the transference of energy. The give-away is the title: “Disgust”. Maybe I just like being shouted at but this album raised my blood pressure, got me going, made me excited. This series of three minute rants about failure, abomination, battlefields and much more are in the hardcore razor-blade punk style (sorry, genres again). This is one big battlefield. It’s fast, hard, raw and meaty. The five piece offer a guitar and drum style which is impressively dominant. There’s a real crunch about it. The riff line is constantly under control. It’s more under control than it first may appear. These guys can not only play but they know how to step up, or more usually step down and create imaginative soundscapes and interest. From somewhere the impressive “Battlefields” finds its way into lingering post-metal. Not for long though, as spleens have to be vented. The anger levels are relentless. I found myself somewhere between wanting to share the feeling of being pissed off and wanting to laugh. Those instrumentals are strong and awe-inspiring, taking us to new levels again on “We Were Told” and “Rain of Arrows”. During these exercises in punk energy they step up the guitar sophistication, leaving a rumbling rhythm to penetrate our souls. There’s a bit more evocative post-metal on “Faithless”, and a combination of punishing beats and distortions to end “Burnt Offerings” and “Hellhounds”. It all reinforces the anarchy. There’s feedback and other creative uses of sound here and there but nothing detracts from the aggression and fury. Every track here is a gem. I loved the earthiness of “Divided, United”, a rant of the highest order, and the more controlled subtlety and tempo change of “Abomination”, the final sludge-infused explosion. Actually, I liked everything about this assault which constitutes “Disgust”.
I suppose it wouldn’t work if it lasted more than 27 minutes. This is as far from drawn-out melancholy and reflection as you could get. And that’s what makes “Disgust” so refreshing. It’s a musical feast without inhibitions of any sort but it’s also like a cleansing process. Having heard this, I share the disgust. I feel better now.
(9/10 Andrew Doherty)
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