Saturday 13 August 2016

REVIEW: Xgraador - "Bellows" (EP)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: EP
Date Released: 02/06/2016
Label: Independent



“Bellows” DD track listing:


1). Bury
2). Oath
3). Possession
4). Morte

The Review:

It's always a pleasure here at Sludgelord HQ when we receive something unknown or unheard. This demo/EP from XGRAADOR, with 4 tracks of noisy, blackened doom coming straight outta left field, is right up my alley. 

The opening track 'Bury' is pure Abruptum esque black noise. It's unsettling and uneasy and gives you a glimpse of what is about to unfold.  'Oath' is like a lofi Thrones, if Joe Preston listened to nothing but Sabbath and Lizzy. The vocals sound terrifying. Not Michael Myers, serial killer terrifying but abandoned fairground Carousel music terrifying.

'Possession' crackles and screeches into existence as feedback builds and the beat of a single drum steadies the pace. The track reminds me of David Bowie's industrial era album for some reason...a compliment if ever there was one! 'Morte' the closing track is the most melancholy of the 4 offered here, the slightly distorted chorus of voices eerily wailing (quietly) over the rumbling guitars. If anyone reading this is remembers Die Sonne Satan's 'Dismal Chant', you may get the comparison.

If you're a fan of the weird and wonderful, you'd be a fool to not at least give this a try. If this is a one off project, then it's a fitting requiem for the short shelf life of human existence. If XGRAADOR do make another album, it'll undoubtedly be excellent.

Bellows” is available here

Band info: facebook