Labels: Halo Of Flies
Review by: Sean Haughton
god damn this is heavy. at some point after they released their
full-length, primitive man stepped it up into a new level. their split
with xaphan was the first time i’d been truly excited about two
new(ish) metal/hardcore bands in a while and i’m glad to see that
they’re continuing to ramp up the intensity. here they offer up one
8-minute sludge metal punisher which is a total rollercoaster
dynamically. one thing primitive man’s more recent output has really
nailed for me is transitioning several times without it feeling pieced
together and incorporating more changes in pace to keep it
interesting. fucking punishing. really excited about this band’s next
album. i think they’re touring the UK soon, and i would make it a
point to see them.
hexis’ side is again one song, and is probably the best recorded
output i’ve heard from them. also pushing 8-minutes plus, their song
ditches any of the post-metal and atmospheric elements they’ve
previously incorporated (while still feeling familiar to their
previous stuff) and goes a way more direct route. the first 4 minutes
are relentless black metal that slips into a crushingly slow
feedback-heavy beating. i’m sure somewhere the kind of basement
dwelling CHUDs who jerk off to varg vikernes’ every word are posting
on message boards about how this isn’t legitimate black metal, which
is always a mark that something is worth a listen. comes with a
no-driving-glove guarantee.
if we’re picking sides i’d say the primitive man song really swings it
for me here, but if your tastes are leant more towards the side of
face paint and snow covered forests i’m sure the hexis side is going
to be of interest. killer split.