“Throes” is promoted as being at the human end of the post-sludge spectrum occupied by the likes of Neurosis, Isis and Cult of Luna. But it’s human anger, pain and agony.
“Thrust” leads us off. Urgent harshness is balanced with softly ringing strokes. The tension rises gently as post-sludge should. The drum beats calmly and colourfully. The guttural vocals blend into the melancholic, epic and finally deep tones. “Little Defeats, Tiny Victories” has the familiar pattern that goes with this genre. Comparisons apart, it is good and moody. Patience is as ever the virtue, and subtle sounds permeate the backdrop before breaking out into heavier territory. Allochiria’s control of mood and smooth variation are very good, making this an interesting listening experience. The very title “Cracking Fractals” conjures up a picture of expansions and fragmentation. The build-up is as ever patient and measured. Nothing unexpected happens – it’s a template example of post-metal. “Lifespotting” is also at the quieter end of the spectrum, exploring tense and epic soundscapes. It is a nice, thoughtful piece with equal shades of both melancholic heights and disturbance. “Counting Fives” is at the darker end of the sludge world. As ever, it develops sound fields in a way which should create visions in our mind, but whilst I appreciated the technical progression very much, I found it clinical and in fact had no vision as a result of listening to it. All that remains is the 10 minute “Denouement” which patiently goes about its business with the fractal-like expansion effect very much in evidence in the development of the track. The guitar work is withering, and dark moments descend but I wasn’t hearing anything unusual here. There is a mechanical progression as the atmosphere develops and tension mounts. As with all the tracks on this album, it is well controlled. It takes us into a sombre, melancholic, swamp-like scene and of all the tracks on this album, along with “Lifespotting”, I found it to be the most sensitive and evocative.
There was a kind of text book feel about this album for me. It’s moody and atmospheric without sending me into whole new worlds of expanse and colour. I liked “Throes” but I found it competent rather than spectacular.
(6.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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