Some might call it “sludge”. Some might call it “doom”. I call it an uninterrupted string of bad-assery that left me slack-jawed – and I swim in this stuff every day. Not only was I going, “Goddamn, this is heavy”, I was also going, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!”
haarp may have just become one of “my” bands.
They could become one of yours, too. They are their own beast. This is crucial. No “Eyehategod did it first (and better)”, no dabblings in “psychedelia”, just a headfirst dive into the deep end of humanity. What you’ll find at the bottom ain’t pretty. haarp’s The Filth (Housecore, 2010) is what I call a “seeking Colonel Kurtz” record. (Steve Austin of Today Is the Day makes records like this. Godflesh’s Streetcleaner also comes to mind.) It’s a journey up the river towards some mythic enemy – oneself.
haarp – “The Blue Chamber Painted Red”
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Check out “The Blue Chamber Painted Red”. For its entire almost-nine-minute run, it twists and turns like a man trying to escape his doom. Not once does it get “proggy”. Not once does it get stuck in the “one note per minute” mire of “avant-garde doom”. It’s more like the ugly, slow cousin of death metal. (The way the vocals enter is very Obituary.) Shaun Emmons is a big surprise; one can understand much of what he’s saying. Clarity makes horror more horrifying. Shaun Emmons gives me the shivers.
The Filth comes out a week from today. You can hear samples of each song at Amazon
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That was awesome!
Phil’s backed himself a winner there.
Speaking of Steve Austin, _The Filth_ features cover art by _In the Eyes of God_-cover artist Paul Booth. Not his absolute best work, but still striking and grotesque.
Like the track streaming here. I’m listening to on it really low volume (I’m at work), but it still sounds bludgeoning and thick. That’s a good sign.
Reminds me of a tuffer version of Howl. Good stuff.
No caps. And you call this heavy?
Kidding aside, I’m gonna listen to this and get back to you in nine minutes…
So heavy it’s gravitational pull will rip your nuts off.
I’ve been waiting for these guys, thanks for streaming the track…fuckin rad.
Hmmmm. No caps needed.
I think you provided a pretty great description here Cosmo. The standout element is that voice. He’s got pretty decent control over his entire range (which is more dynamic than most growlers). That voice just seems to sit right on top of every part of the song without ever drowning anything out. Great production! Now I’ve got something to look forward to.
This is sick as fuck. Complete didn’t expect this as I’ve never heard this band before. Will definitely be buying this.
Cosmo, that is a totally great description of the feeling I get when i really click with a metal band, and I definitely feel it here on the first listen.
For me, the intensity of this track kinda invokes the feeling I get from the 2009 Burnt by the Sun and Goatwhore records. I’m not comparing the actual sound of any of these bands, but they way you can just feel their sheer intensity of purpose.
I would compare this to Fistula’s most recent work if anything. I agree, though. That is a big IF. Judging by this track the album may be a late entry in the “album of the year” race.
I saw these guys this summer when they came to St. Louis with Eyehategod and Nachtmystium. They were the highlight of the show. Every new breakdown heavier than the one before, and their vocalist sounded huge despite his meager height. Their whole set I had a giant smile on my face (as did the rest of the band.)
they guys are even heavier live, ball-crushing badassery
Thanks for posting this, Cosmo. While listening to the above track, my hands inadvertently balled into fists. Cannot wait for this album.
I’m not usually one for doomy type stuff, but damn, this is quite good. Might have to pick this one up.
Heavy.
Reminds me of a more death metal take on some of the darker end of metalcore, stuff like Cursed and Black Ships. I’d be really into it if the vocals didn’t get a little urpy in their low end. Dude has an amazing scream otherwise, being able to understand what’s he’s saying definitely makes all the difference.
holy shit. i picked up the newest Lesbian album [which is amazing btw] and haarp, based off the strength of this track and goddamn if this album isn’t in my top 5 with a few more listens. pick it up people, it deserves some attention.
sick and evil. haarp is gonna be huge. or it should, at least.