WOLD - Postsocial
Profound Lore Records
Noise/Black Metal
5 songs (~46:00)
Release year: 2014
Profound Lore Records
Reviewed by Neill

WOLD is a Canadian 2 piece noise band with black metal style vocals that has been putting out some of the most interesting, and atypical music I've ever heard since the early 2000's. For anyone not familiar with the band, or the style they play, it can be easy to write them off. There is nothing traditional about what they do. Main man Fortress Crookedjaw is responsible for the vocals, lyrics, and almost everything except for the guitar (Contributed by second member: Obey). This is the band's 6th full length, and I feel a very important album in the bands career.

I will certainly not claim to be an expert on electronic music, and how it is done/manipulated, and given the style of the band, there is not much point in me trying to dissect each song, since there are no riffs or anything really "catchy". The album begins with Throwing Star which hits right away with it's pounding electronic vibes and screeched vocals. The vocals are pretty much indecipherable on the record, except for the repetition in track 3, Five Points. The electronic work on the album is very heavy, and usually abrasive, but there are moments of beauty, and despite being a noise act, it is not noise for the sake of it. There is a structure here, and it all works to create something original, and very memorable. The sound on the album is very thick, and the distorted vocal lines add so much to the album, making everything really feel like a journey, and an experience, rather than just an album of songs.

Again, there are some truly beautiful moments within the noise. Track 2, Inner Space Infirmary has some long sections of noise, with the guitar underneath it (the guitar is kept mostly in the background, and helps to add layers to the electronic noise in the foreground) that are really encapsulating. I would find myself lost in the sounds, feeling as though I was being transported somewhere dark, but somehow comforting within my mind. Each song does manage to feel different to the prior, and I feel that each song is interesting in what it presents. Five Points has some incredible deep pulsating, with some higher sonic screeches, while the guitars sound very drone like, creating something dark, but never losing any structure or even beauty in certain instances. The longer noise sections never feel too long, and never seem to meander, and while the noise sections do tend to be repetitive, it never comes off as boring, or being too much. It is part of an incredible atmosphere, and a very reflective presentation.

There is so much being offered here on the record. The packaging on the album is superb, and the artwork is outstanding. The album itself is a concept , with each song representing a point on the inverted star, and the overall presentation could not be better. I feel this album will turn off many people, do to its style, but for those wiling to take a journey, this is an incredibly rewarding album. The band had stated they felt this was their best work, and the most complete they felt as an artist. I would agree completely. The structure of the album is very complete, as it has such an incredible flow, and everything makes sense. This is an important album from the band, and I feel an important album in Metal in 2014. This needs to be heard. The track Inner Space Infirmary is the only track currently available online to listen to, via Pitchfork, and the album is available on Spotify. Again, I would urge everyone to give this album a chance, as I feel it is very rewarding, and will provide a journey you are not likely to go on anytime soon.

Killing Songs :
Inner Space Infirmary, Throwing Star, Five Points
Neill quoted 90 / 100
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