american - "Bedsheet Ossuary" (Song Premiere)

June 19, 2017

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In simplest terms, american‘s soundscapes aim directly at the darkest parts of the human psyche. To call their forthcoming sophomore full-length Violate And Control an ugly record would be an understatement. Their music sounds like the aural equivalent of a horrifying car crash on the highway. Certain types of people will always slow down to gawk, knowing full well—and perhaps even hoping—that they may end up catching a glimpse of something they can never un-see.

The duo fuses elements of sludge, black metal, and harsh noise to create virtually impenetrable, absolutely harrowing walls of sound. Occasionally, though, their songwriting takes a more traditionally riff-based approach, as on the deceptively melodic “Bedsheet Ossuary,” which we’re premiering below. Sounding a bit like post-black metal crossed with Merzbow, the track almost feels like an oasis in the within the tempest of the rest of the record, at least until its corrosive doom finish. Alas, any sense of security created by the track ultimately rings false. What comes after ends up sounding even more disturbing as a result of the brief respite, especially the deeply upsetting “Ischemia – The Longing Agony,” which includes a recording of a 911 call one can only hope is a fake.

-Clayton Michaels

According to the band:

“Violate And Control is a painful study of the horrors performed by man when placed in a position of power. “Bedsheet Ossuary” is about potential forcefully taken away by a wicked hand. Trust given and taken away with grin.”

Violate And Control will be available on June 23 on digital/vinyl/cassette in the US via Sentient Ruin Laboratories and fragile branch recordings, and in the EU via Shove Records.

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