Style: Technical Dissonant Death Metal (harsh vocals)
Review by: Dan
Country: USA
Release date: 02 July, 2021
The idea of treating bleak, unrelenting fury as an elevated art form has been lurking in the musical underground for many years, but certainly the last five have seen an explosion in the popularity of bands playing a technically challenging, chaotic, often dissonant breed of death metal that prides itself on its inaccessibility. What was once a niche approach to music is now, well, still a niche approach to music, but perhaps a much more full one. I feel that this proliferation and general acceptance of dissonant, grindy death metal, however, has progressed the style beyond the catch-all “avant-garde” label. I’m firmly in the camp of “dissodeath is a real genre!” and all y’all who feel otherwise can go suck it.
Perhaps pioneered by Deathspell Omega and Gorguts, popularized by Ulcerate, bastardized by Pyrrhon, gilded by Imperial Triumphant, and invariably touched by Colin Marston, dissodeath has created small pockets of like-minded musicians all across the globe. I’ve reveled in this skronky madness for the last few years, but I have to admit, without much in the way of dynamics, it’s beginning to get a bit stale.
With The Barren Form, Noctambulist, thankfully, have introduced welcome dynamics to the oppressive atmospheres of dissodeath, clearly nodding more towards Ulcerate in their stylistic decisions than, for example, the riff-based precision of Sunless.
While the pacing and atmospheres on this album are stellar, it suffers from the inaccessibility that plagues most dissodeath. There’s not a whole lot to latch onto in here. Instead, there’s atmosphere, intensity, rage and despair in spades, made all the more potent by the skillful use of the aforementioned dynamics. Whereas the titans of the genre tend to sneak hooks into their songs on occasion, I’ve really found few if any in the latest effort from this Denver, CO four-piece.
Perhaps my jaded ears seek further diversification and innovation, but I struggled to connect with this record on a deeper level than awe. Awe is indeed justified though, as this technical barrage is a masterclass in musicianship, and certainly an impressive performance on all fronts. The vocals are pure jugular destruction, riveting and spine tingling, placed proud against a churning backdrop of furious drums and grinding guitars. The bass surely thickens the mix, but rarely presents any of its own ideas until the final track. The riffs are angular and tight, but in my opinion, don’t really hit home particularly hard.
The ferocity of the lengthy songs is well-balanced by haunting, oppressive ambiance, making quick work of the album’s 44-minute runtime. The mix is decent, but not magical, with adequate clarity and breathing room but little sparkle. The journey through the album’s intro-plus-five tracks is a well-orchestrated descent into madness, engulfing the listener in hellish soundscapes intended to represent depression, grief, anxiety, and fear. This incessantly bleak and unsettling atmosphere certainly succeeds in consuming the listener, and is well worth a spin or two. It sure helps that it goes out on perhaps the highest note of the entire presentation: “Dissolution” is a phenomenal track that really helps elevate the whole album.
If you’re a fan of dissodeath, you’ll likely enjoy what you hear on The Barren Form – it’s competent and engaging, with excellent musicianship and suffocating atmosphere – but if you’re already bored of the genre, this won’t offer you much you haven’t yet heard elsewhere.
Recommended tracks: Dissolution
Recommended for fans of: Ulcerate, Blindfolded and Led to the Woods, Seputus, Altarage, Fawn Limbs
Final verdict: 7/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page
Label: Willowtip Records – Bandcamp | Website | Facebook
Noctambulist is:
– Sean McConnell (vocals)
– Andreas Tee (guitars)
– Michael Nolan (drums)
– R.H. (bass)
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