Remixed

Initially identified as a sludge or doom metal act, the Bodys sound has evolved far beyond the point of resembling any form of metal, taking cues from industrial music and hip-hop production, as well as incorporating horns, strings, and operatic vocals into their phenomenally bleak compositions. For a group who take such a deconstructivist approach to creating music, the idea of passing their tracks off to other artists to be remixed seems so logical that its almost too obvious. Yet its clear that they didnt want just anyone altering their work, and so Remixed, released to commemorate the Bodys 20th anniversary as a band, is filled with contributions from previous tourmates and collaborators, friends from the Providence music scene, and artists who have influenced their music. The album starts off with a remix by Moss of Aura, the instrumental chillwave project of Future Islands Gerrit Welmers, and whats startling about the track is how Chip Kings piercing shrieks are isolated and surrounded by lush synths and downtempo beats rather than cacophonous noise. Somehow his voice actually sounds far more disturbing this way. Of the overtly techno-influenced tracks, OAAs take on Adamah is more straightforward, with metallic clangs spiking the skeletal beat, and a chattering vocal loop fading in and providing the track with its most ear-catching element. Containers typically excellent contribution, a version of Ten Times a Day Everyday a Stranger, is a carousel of meaty distortion spinning around an almost grime-like rhythm. On the albums most powerful track, Moor Mother proclaims herself to be from the place of never-gots and threatens two bullets in the brain, dead cop over her own mournful singing and slowly decaying drums. Elsewhere, Andrew Nolans Wanderings comes close to the noise-saturated industrial hip-hop of Scorn or Techno Animal, while Seth Manchesters Western Dub is a faithful dub interpretation of the Eek-a-Mouse-sampling The West Has Failed. Other tracks explore eerie dark ambient drone, and the release ends with Lingua Ignota repeating Father does not judge over the ominous pianos and swelling distortion of Hallow Hollow. Remixed is certainly worthwhile for fans of the Body, as it demonstrates the duos open-mindedness towards collaboration and hints at where they could take their music from here, but anyone who hasnt heard albums like Christs, Redeemers or No One Deserves Happiness should start with those first. ~ Paul Simpson