The post-apocalyptic soundscapes that are promised here on this EP are the work of a collective called Guiltless, comprising band members from Intronaut, A Storm of Light, Generation of Vipers and Battle of Mice. The images we are asked to consider include piles of discarded trash and a hostile new world.
A pattering drum leads a series of dark sounds. The guitar plays an aggressive line of rock. The growling vocals match the depth. This grainy sound has an air of psychedelic sludge about it. The instrumentals become industrial. It feels like falling off a cliff edge. Behind the core song which progresses in its way, there’s an irregular pattern. Oh, and it’s heavy. That’s “Devour Collide”. Unsurprisingly it’s about the decline of civilisation. “All We Destroy” starts in a similarly dark and menacing mode. The heavy sludge is enhanced with the sound of whistling winds and distant sounds of suffering. The guitarist doesn’t care. He pumps out big chords. The drum pattern is fiery. We enter a chasm. “Nothing grows” growls the vocalist, reflecting the dangerous and desolate world that “Devour Collide” represents. “Dead-Eye” descends into doom territory. It was inevitable really. It’s dark, loud and attritional but more straight line than the others, and for me less interesting. “In Radiant Glow” depicts a “post extinction event”. Accordingly, it begins slowly and blackly in post-metal style. Darker and more sinister even than Cult of Luna, the tone is similar. For six minutes we are put through the mill. The drawn out guitar and drum create an imposing image of a black, black world.
Guiltless state their case. “Thorns” is atmospheric in the darkest possibly way, but also from it come instrumental nuances, all designed to reflect their hostile and empty world. The next stage for the band is a full album, I understand. I look forward to it.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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