Disso Daddy Diaries: Vol. 2
Constantly I consume and cultivate the curiously coy and uncouth, continuing as curator of the caustic and cautiously-contaminated for your constructive criticism and contemplation. Cool?
Encasement – S/T (September 4)
First up is something that I feel is often overlooked in the sub-world of dissonant metal: atmoblack. While many a trve unit can craft atmospheric aspects in their songs, bands that primarily focus on it while maintaining unsettling amounts of disso goodness are fewer than their fellow contemporaries. Thankfully, a band such as Encasement exists and the self-titled debut is an impressive specimen indeed as it is the sole work of Torontonian James Thompson. I know what you are thinking, “Brocky boi, how dare you come at me with yet another one-man black metal project!,” and I shall retort “Shut up you swine!” But trust in me as James also did all recording, mastering, and even painted the cover art himself. Now, experience a wall of black/atmo/disso sure to conquer any of your misgivings (and likely shortcomings).
Writhen – Demo MMXXVI (September 28)
This is one I have been waiting for for an ample amount of time. You see, I first became privy to this young dissonant death metal group when they opened for fellow metal miscreants Sunless and Thantifaxath. In a packed crowd of about a dozen people, these gents laid waste like seasoned vets with an impressively oppressive set combining the likes of Morbid Angel and Gorguts all through a filter of filthy, off-kilter groove. It may have taken two years since my introduction to this local unit, but Writhen‘s first produced recordings provide a succinct yet captivating slab of monstrous death metal. Chunky in the realm of riffs and eldritch gurgles, each of the tracks contain enough bounce to bop your head while simultaneously revealing in the abject darkness. What horrors await to be cast upon us listeners next is something I shall yearn for eagerly.
Resin Tomb – Fetid Existence (December 30th)
If you missed Australia’s Resin Tomb and their devastating debut Cerebral Purgatory from 2024, then luckily you have plenty of time to fix being outside the circle of something as energizing as it is crushing. Explaining how this band sounds is like explaining the auditory experience of being in a car crash. Utilizing anxiety-inducing energy and atonal riffing, similar to those such as Vermin Womb and Plebeian Grandstand, all tracks they spew feel akin to a personal attack to your psyche. If you somehow possessed doubts regarding a drastic change in direction, then be soothed as their upcoming sophomore album titled Fetid Existence is shaping up to be an even meaner output. Anger and animosity seep from every note and scream; just try not to take it personally. The end of December may be a time of change and cleansing, which may be needed after experiencing this late-year force.
