2024-02-13 08:00:22
(c) Hannah Fauske
The uncrowned noise kings from the far north are back: they actually did Barren Womb At least in the studio it’s been a bit rare lately, “Lizard Lounge” is almost four years old. And yet time did not stand still for the duo from Trondheim. They skillfully developed their very own noise rock approach, now accompanied by a lot more (post-)hardcore and punk. Exactly that mixture works „Chemical Tardigrade“ through marrow and bone.
The song title alone makes “Bachelor Of Puppets” an instant highlight. Behind this, however, is a particularly grumpy monstrosity that doesn’t care much regarding speed and instead creates a scratchy noise groove – dissonant, ponderous, and at the same time wonderfully exclusive. “Squat Walker”, on the other hand, goes forward and takes post-hardcore elan with it. Not for the last time, pleasant memories of the Cancer Bats are awakened, without completely breaking out of the Norwegians’ grumpy musical microcosm. This supposedly difficult balancing act succeeds more than skillfully, in places it is even (almost) in your ear.
There is always room for curiosities and variety. There is, for example, “D-Beatles”, which actually comes around the corner noisy and crusty and quickly reduces everything to rubble before the middle part becomes pure chaos. “McLembas”, on the other hand, primarily serves the rough noise side of the band and yet finds an oversized hook out of nowhere that there is no getting around. Swinging fists collide with poison and bile – see and listen to “High Fructose Napalm Syrup”, whose wild stop-and-go approach is grueling yet flattering. This shouldn’t work, but it’s fun.
This is exactly what is becoming more and more the motto for Barren Womb’s fifth album. Yes, the Norwegians are pushing their noise rock vision more than ever. Yes, the experimental spirit also runs through these eleven songs in a rough way – and yet “Chemical Tardigrade” sticks. Even behind the most prickly approaches there are often rough hooks that combine neck-breaking charm with latent madness and subtle rock. Harder and more direct at the same time, this is how the duo lands their next direct hit.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: February 16, 2024
Available via: Blues For The Red Sun / Fucking North Pole Records
Website: barrenwomb.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/barrenwomb
Category: Magazin, Reviews
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#Barren #Womb #Chemical #Tardigrade
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