Tuesday 2 August 2016

ALBUM REVIEW - Khünnt - "Failures"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 06/05/2016
Label: Riot Season Records


Khünnt create the kind of bleak racket that would make even Khanate cry themselves to sleep, echoing the ragged noise rock monotony of Shit and Shine it is strangely euphoric and completely crushing in equal measure.  “Failures” is a bold step forward from Khünnt. It sees them maintain their reputation for sonic drudgery while finding new ways to subject the listener to aural torment.

‘Failures” DD//LP track listing:

A. Failures (Part 1) 18:56
B. Failures (Part 2) 19:12

The Review:

Previous releases saw Newcastle’s Khünnt create the kind of bleak racket that would have made even Khanate cry themselves to sleep. New LP “Failures” is almost soothing in contrast despite consisting of a single 37 minute slab of misery.

The first noticeable change is the increase in tempo. Khünnt have stepped up from a tarpit crawl to a menacing slow-motion hypnotic lurch. “Failures” still sits firmly at the glacial end of the speed spectrum but this slight difference adds a new dimension to their churning attack.

Beginning in dark psychedelic territory, the band establish a rumbling one chord locked groove. As time passes the distortion slowly amps up far into the red, harrowing howls joining the fray as Khünnt fulfil their terrifying potential. The sound is similar to cosmic stoner compatriots Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs melting in the sun and leaving you to choke on the fumes.  

Not content with bludgeoning the listener into submission with this single-minded onslaught, the final stretch of the journey takes an unexpected turn. Just when you think it’s safe to put your head above the parapet, a driving tribal rhythm heralds a climax of primal intensity. Echoing the ragged noise rock monotony of Shit and Shine it is strangely euphoric and completely crushing in equal measure.

Failures” is a bold step forward from Khünnt. It sees them maintain their reputation for sonic drudgery while finding new ways to subject the listener to aural torment. 


‘Failures’ is available here

Band info: facebook | bandcamp