Release
date: April 8th
2016. Label: Black Bow Records. Format: CD/DD
Herb
Your Enthusiasm – Tracklisting
1.
Lung Mountain
2.
Haarlem Struggle
3.
Escapegoat
4.
Cone
5.
Axis of Green
6.
Highatus
7.
Lung Valley
8.
Elegant Odyssey
9.
Chabal
10.
Hot Priest
Band
Members:
Paul
Swarbrick | Guitars
Ste Arands | Drums
Adam
Swarbrick | Bass
Alex
Hurst | Vocals
Review:
Boss
Keloid separate albums with a gap of approximately 3 years between
releases. Angular Beef Lesson in 2010 exposed us to the turbulent
style of this particular band. The Calming Influence of Teeth in 2013
was their debut full length that I found was akin to what made
Mastodon so great in the past. The delivery of Herb Your Enthusiasm
in 2016 is well worth the wait. This album is like a fine rot gut
wine made from the dying vine, with ingredients that require an
acquired taste, not of the master sommelier, but that of the genius
bum.
Herb
Your Enthusiasm reminds me of one of those Dr. Seuss contraptions
where manufacturing songs are the end result of the musicians using
everything at their disposal to create an infectious sound mandating
a must listen. The swell of different sounds and vocal approaches
culminate in a dynamic, wide range of music that increases appeal.
There is no strict adherence to the more familiar singular song
structure and style assimilation noticeable in the band majority.
Destruction into creation is at work here and reveal a band who don't
limit the proud to play process by sticking to pure classification.
They
aren't afraid of inclusion. This release has everything, including
the proverbial kitchen sink. A virtual metallic infused chop suey.
You don’t need to be into the huff and puff surrounding a certain
plant that this album is associated with in order to appreciate the
progressive sonic trip.
Now
off to the songs...
"Lung
Mountain" has peaks and valleys, primarily denoted by heaviness
and an overall sense of brutality.
"Haarlem
Struggle" is a great track. It is catchy, ruthless and
strange…just like an ancient plague. A musical ghost train,
grooving and clamoring on ramshackle rails, carrying primo sludge to
your electronic ears.
"Escapegoat"
is a double dipped offering that combines the vocally harmonious with
firm bellows from the dismal swamp.
"Cone"
is a rerun of the simmering pot that eventually boils over. You can
feel yourself defy gravity as you grow larger through distorted
resonances and step into some nifty platform shoes.
"Axis
of Green" showcases the undeniable ability of this band in
snagging you with their memorable phrases and singing styles, all
within the crushing weight of sheer distorted denseness.
"Highatus"
is a short fade in and out instrumental.
"Lung
Valley" opens the vocal cabinet further and treats the listener
to the unmasqued potential of this singer.
"Elegant
Odyssey" offers no whys, no wherefores throughout the band’s
control of the volume knob. Soulful meditation alloy fused with
abrupt antagonism.
"Chabal"
demonstrates the appetite of this band. This constellation of sound
ingredients brighten and dimmer and ultimately disrupt the bulk of
music today. Take a ride on your skateboard as the older burnouts tie
it to the hitch of a possessed hearse traversing through a deserted
cemetery. Destination destruction with a soundtrack of mighty riffs.
"Hot
Priest" sums up the life cycle of this band. You will notice
abrupt changes in style and aggression, analogous to trying to step
on a cockroach that zigzags across your tenement floor. Don't fight
them, learn to live with them.
Overall,
this record contains a violent breed of songs that do not tear the
album apart, but rather draw you into its mystery and leave you with
a raised scar. The band have the required prowess to play their
sludge soaked instruments in order to convey their manhole cover
sized collection of songs. I think you will enjoy this melodic array
that pushes towards the periphery of metal music, rather than just
relying on the usual simplistic, shop-worn affair.
The
discovery of this enigmatic gift of musicianship will leave some
scratching their heads in disbelief, while leaving others rubbing
their hands in excitement. Its kinda like your grandfather’s old
handkerchief full of hepatitis boogers destined to break every health
code. It may be repugnant and enticing, but also versatile and
necessary nonetheless. Boss Keloid has the guts to roar in the face
of the angry bear who was awoken from his hibernation, that which is
made all the more poignant because they kicked him in the balls in
the first place.
Words
by Nick Palmisano
Thanks
to Boss Keloid and Lisa at Hold Tight PR for the promo. Herb Your
Enthusiasm will be available to buy on CD/DD from Black Bow Records
from April 8th 2016.
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