ALBUM REVIEW: Bast, “Nanoångstöm”

By: Chris Bull


Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 23/11/2018

Label: Black Bow Records

 

Bast have certainly developed creatively and have released another standout album in the world of heavy music

 

“Nanoångstöm” CD//DD//2LP track listing:

1. Distant Suns
2. Far Horizons
3. The Beckoning Void
4. Nanoångström
5. A Red Line Through Black
6. The Ghosts Which Haunt the Space Between the Stars

The Review:

When I heard Basthad recorded and released their 2nd album 'Nanoångstöm', I knew I was the right SLUDGELORDto put my name forward for the review.

4 years have passed since the release of 'Spectres', in my opinion, one of the best heavy records to be released this century, so Bast face an uphill struggle to better, let alone match the benchmark they previously set. 'Distant Suns' immediately leaps for the aforementioned benchmark, with the solemn bass intro, like a lonely astronaut floating through space, gathering momentum and hurtling towards the epically heavy 'Far Horizons', where the contrasting vocals of drummer Jon Lee's blackened growl and guitarist Craig Bryant's deep below overlay the Primordialesque folk tinged black metal. The album ebbs and flows seamlessly highlighting Bast'spenchant for the epic and enthralling, as 'The Beckoning Void” and the title track deliver moments of brutality, subtle tempo shifts and glorious melodies all wrapped up in progressive and finely crafted song writing.

'A Red Line Through Black' harks back to 'Spectres' building upon Bryant's moody guitar and vocal work, through some heavy prog inspired riffing to create a sonic journey full of the unexpected. By the time  'The Space Between the Stars' opening tremolo laden riff and blast beats slow down to allow the song the room to breathe, the unexpected becomes the ordinary as riffs, licks and screams leap out from all corners, dragging you, towards the black hole they created.

While Bast's influences may be apparent to some, with nods in the direction of a few of black metal's proggiest bands, it's the personal touches and subtle nuances that forge the main body of their sound. Bast have certainly developed creatively and have released another standout album in the world of heavy music. Whether it will leave as lasting an impression as 'Spectres' remains to be seen, but several more spins will go a long way into that decision. Now, where's that repeat button...

“Nanoångstöm” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

REVIEW: Deadwound - "Identity Shapes"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 17/02/2017

Label: Black Bow Records

The South-West London quintet deal in a compellingly nasty blend of filthy sludge riffs, jarring discordance and searing bursts of d-beat fury. Tracks like “Crucifixed” and the crushing dirge of “Witch” come out of the blocks like “Remission” era Mastodon locked in a sweaty basement with His Hero Is Gone.  The band deliver twenty minutes of exhilarating noise that is equal parts barbed complexity and raw simplicity.

“Identity Shapes” DD track listing:

01. Crucifixed
02. Kult Warrior
03. Witch
04. Cruel Road
05. Babylon

The Review:

The prospect of members of doomed black metallers Bast and angular noiseniks Silent Frontjoining forces to unleash riff mayhem is a mouth-watering one. Deadwound’sdebut EP “Identity Shapes” delivers five tracks of the quality you would expect from this heavyweight line-up. There are plenty of hints of the members other projects throughout but the band have already developed their own distinct identity.

The South-West London quintet deal in a compellingly nasty blend of filthy sludge riffs, jarring discordance and searing bursts of d-beat fury. Tracks like “Crucifixed” and the crushing dirge of “Witch” come out of the blocks like “Remission” era Mastodonlocked in a sweaty basement with His Hero Is Gone. “Climax” sees the bands noise rock influences bubble to the surface, culminating in a razor-sharp Shellac-esque one chord assault. The conclusion to brutal parting shot “Babylon” takes an unexpectedly epic turn, slurred riffs providing the backdrop for a subtle but effective spacey guitar solo.

The impact of these tracks is helped by a perfectly pitched production job. It is weighty enough to capture the gut-punch of the band’s low-end heaviness but scratchy enough to showcase their ragged punk energy.  

“Identity Shapes” is an attention-grabbing opening gambit from Deadwound. The band deliver twenty minutes of exhilarating noise that is equal parts barbed complexity and raw simplicity. This is a release loaded with potential that whets the appetite for a full-length dose of carnage.

“Identity Shapes” is available here

Band info: facebook