Californian Sludge-friendly, experimental noise metal outfit Will Haven have been around for coming on 20 years now, but aside from the critically acclaimed “Carpe Diem”, released in 2001 and a few big tours in between spells of breaking up and reforming, there isn’t much about them which really stood out to any of us here at Noctum (I offered to do this as I recognised the name from somewhere and good old YouTube reminded me why). Reformed as a five piece and with the original vocalist who has been a guest contributor on Soulfly and Deftones tracks in the past, people are kicking up a fuss about this release. Let’s see why.
Usually, I’d dissect an album, track by track and break everything down, pointing out the unique parts or moments which really stand out to me, but with this release, it’s harder to do so. It’s 9 tracks long and four of those are roughly one minute of ambient synths and samples which link the tracks together and surprisingly, the noise which starts on the album opener “A” stays constant right through to “Pop 14” the closing track. It only changes its feel on “B”, “C” and “D”. In effect, you can say that this release is really only 5 tracks long as four of them act as intro’s, but listening to it all, the way every track runs into the other flawlessly, you could argue that instead of it being 9 tracks, or 5 tracks depending on your outlook, it could actually just be one long track which clocks in at just over 23 minutes.
The ambience, combined with the harsh, jarring and sometimes dissonant sound from the guitar and bass, coupled with Grady Avenell’s screaming makes for some uneasy listening at times, but if you have heard some of their earlier work, this is the norm for Will Haven. Focused around an intense, energetic performance, “Open The Mind To Discomfort” centres on the simplistic approach – minimalistic songs where the drums are the only slightly complex part in contrast to the same vocal styling throughout the album and the same riffs and pounding, heavy bass which only varies slightly between tracks, but follows a very similar approach. “Soul Leach” has a very sludge like feel to it whilst “Hermit” is probably the most intense moment of the release, bringing a real intense sound to it, similar to that of Tombs, whilst “The Comet” shatters the brief moment of calm with its thunderously heavy bass, which the filler track “C” creates at the end of “Hermit”. The closing track, “Pop 14” acts as a summary, drawing the album together with its dissonant, awkward feel and intense sound.
Overall, “Open The Mind To Discomfort” is an interesting release. With the constant background synths, samples and ambience running for the duration of the record, it really helps shape the direction of the sound which although varies little between tracks, has a good sense of suspense about it, teasing you as to when it is going to get really heavy. Fans of the more experimental side of sludge will like this. It’s worth a listen, so go on and open your mind to discomfort.
(7/10 Fraggle)
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