Release
date: June 03rd 2016. Label: Relapse Records. Format:
CD/DD/Vinyl
Still
They Pray – Tracklisting
1.Haunter
of the Dark
2.Possession
3.Dead
Among the Roses
4.Masters
of Torture
5.Let
it Bleed
6.Shadow
of the Torturer
7.The
Wounding Hours
8.Still
They Pray
Band
Members:
David
Cisco, Parker Chandler, Joey Arcaro, Brandon Marcey
Review:
Anybody
that is the least bit familiar with Cough can acknowledge that the
band have a homemade sound. Through walls of vertical feedback, Cough
spew and sputter sludge vomit into a decrepit doom dumpster with a
warning label advising the unwary not to play their music at high
volume or around church children. Now, I enjoyed the songs from
‘Sigillum Luciferi’ and ‘Ritual Abuse’ and much of what made
those albums great is continued on this new release, however, I find
that in this new release Cough have taken a few decomposed steps
further into investigating the realms of their own signature sound. I
actually covet the sound of the guitar solos on this album, for they
are wormholes of otherworldly material. This band is a fiery
locomotive fed by olden coal running on the dilapidated rails of the
underground. They harness the power of noise and make it music. This
is heavy doom, it is space sludge and it is hallucinogenic sound. The
invidious tracks are as follows:
Haunter
of the Dark- A Lovecraftian quote is narrated amongst feedback and
guitar work that sounds like a tribe of savages drawing a dinosaur
bone across a giant binding of fibrous bamboo chutes. The sound is
deeply resonant and awash with primal fear. A droning, distorted
vibration captured as music, not noise. The unmistakable Cough vocals
are immediately recognizable as their own. The guitar soloing is put
through a vacuum pedal that processes sound between the planets and
the stars. The song’s deformity is its strength.
Possession-Picture
a caged demon suspended over the pit of hell that was given a
microphone...that is what has been captured on this track. A song
composed of plodding, heavy doom. The drummer must buy drumsticks by
the gross, because his kit is surely a study in decimation. This is
the sound of vanity showcased in eternal death. Only a death defying
stuntman guitarist could play a solo on a guitar covered in flames.
Dead
Among The Roses-This track is the most traditional doom song on the
album in terms of structural composition and overall ear
friendliness. This sludge track should be the starting point for
those unaware of this band's musical style. Some people need to bring
their tolerance up to snuff when it comes to heavy music and this
song will assist them in their own electrocution.
Masters
of Torture- This song is a recording of pain. It is as if speakers
were attached to hearts filled with sadness and loss. The middle
section of the song picks up as the tortured rattle their chains in
eager anticipation of their punishers. Twisting guitars, a deep bass,
committed barrel drums and tongue-tortured vocals will make your
walls shake and your scrotum quiver.
Let
It Bleed-This song has an old feeling running through its
construction. This is a slow and almost humanistic Cough. This is a
great song and probably my favorite of the entire album. It is
slightly reminiscent of the sounds expressed on the past track
‘Crooked Spine’ from the former release, but more melodic and
insidiously viral. I thought I knew what this band is capable of, but
I was not entirely accurate in my assumptions. I would like to hear
this band explore this side of themselves more often. It is a cough
in your other face.
Shadow
of the Torturer-This is a track documenting an instrumental
psychedelic travelogue.
The
Wounding Hours-This will stir the horror congregation and get them on
their blistered feet. An almost atonal song that manages to convey
awe in reverence of the certain dread experienced by all folks during
those depressing cemetery walks in our lives. This is a monolith
erected on the outskirts of doom metal. It is a massive and
encyclopedic muck of commotion. Pure Cough.
Still
They Pray-An acoustic song is the only thing left to include on an
album amassed in all that is dense doom and thick sludge. This track
will aid you in treating any wounds inflicted during the excision of
tumorous growths left by imposter bands claiming to be all that is
heavy and assist you in the recovery by helping you reflect on what
you have just heard and processed during this surgically sonic
excursion.
I
was in a physical slump after listening to this album and that is
what a good album is all about. This album is unpleasant and
difficult, with no real comparisons. It is like an arrest warrant for
your soul with bail to be set by a superior court judge presiding in
hell. I know there are a lot of bands out there scrabbling for your
attention and you need to choose wisely for maximum gratification.
Many bands offer a consideration, but that is not enough for me
nowadays. I need more and compositional music should be about more.
Cough don’t offer a mere consideration, they petition for absolute
devotion.
Words
by Na Palmisano
Still
They Pray will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Relapse Records
from June 3rd 2016.
Links: