Dissoriented Yet?
I’m back baby, with a quick reminder that just because this year is rapidly approaching its end, it doesn’t mean the flow of spicy dissonant treats is finished. So join me as we find solace together in musical releases that will hold your hand during these troubling times. The hand-holding may be intense and even painful occasionally, but trust in me and we will get through this together.
Gorging Shade – Inversions (November 11)
First up is the debut release from the Atlanta-based quartet Gorging Shade, and these gents have made their presence known immediately with their deft usage of dissonant ideas paired with impressive technicality and progressive execution. Also, with that stunning album art, how could you at least not be slightly intrigued to check it out? Each track feels like its own self-contained movement of pushing and pulling the listener through a journey of both madness and relaxation. Just think of it as Gorguts or Aseitas crossed with acoustic folk passages as well as guitar hero-level shredding.
Take the opening of the third track “Clepsydra,” where a beautiful and uplifting acoustic section deftly transitions into mind-bending, angular assaults that quickly flip your listening experience from one of peace to one more akin to outrunning a dangerous entity. Each track is rich with little intricacies that will definitely require more time to fully unwrap, but I have found myself returning to Inversions several times each day since its release. Color me impressed with this fantastic initial release.
Still – A Theft (November 15)
Now a shift from a band that focuses on technical and progressive elements to one that is more akin to nightmares of introspection and grief. A Theft is the second full length from this Hull, UK-based group and it is anything but a sophomore slump. Relying heavily on atonality, Still combine the likes of black and post-metal, hardcore, and even a little noise sprinkled in to make the dreary journey engaging for the whole ride. If you yearn for more from the likes of Plebeian Grandstand, then Still is what I would prescribe you to help with your withdrawals. There does not exist much nuance in this music; instead its focus is on consuming you with pure force and emotional heft.
Self-described as “A24 Black Metal,” Still realize their brand of sonic manipulations is not for the wider audience, choosing instead to go to the heart of those who seek art that is more niche and off-putting to the vast majority. There won’t be any bright spots to grasp onto, but it instead acts as a companion through the darkness of each person’s inner self as they struggle through their life’s journey. I would say enjoy, dear listener, but that is entirely the opposite feeling this heavy piece of dissonant metal will leave you with.
Thunraz – Incineration Day (November 22)
Hailing from Tallinn, Estonia, Thunraz is the result of a singular mind, Madis Jalakas, who displays quite the ability to lay down some head-bobbing, yet still dissonant tracks. Relying on death metal style-riffing touched up with some mathcore-inspired execution, Incineration Day will get your foot tapping while also making you reach for the aspirin bottle as it assaults you with a punchiness that just feels right. I was unaware of this project before this release and I was surprised to learn that it has been going steady since 2018, with this release serving as the third full-length. Just look at that artwork! How could you at least not be slightly intrigued to check it out?
There are instances where a lighter touch is needed to get one’s message across. Incineration Day is not one of these instances, as its message is delivered bluntly and devastatingly. Just take the lyrics from the track “Compactor” which read:
wake up
and smell
the ashesbreathe in the dust
of human failure
it’s all aroundpressure doesn’t create
it breaks downdiamonds take millions of
years to
buildhuman life
mere seconds
to destroy
Simple, yet incredibly effective in making its morose point. Now all I need is to build up my auditory and mental endurance before diving into the backlog of his other releases. Wish me luck, friends.
