Lockstep Bloodwar

Sightless Pit debuted in 2020 with Grave of a Dog, a harsh, blistering record that deconstructed elements of metal, industrial, techno, and even opera. Kristin Hayter (Lingua Ignota) has since left the project, leaving Lee Buford (the Body) and Dylan Walker (Full of Hell) as the core members. On second album Lockstep Bloodwar, the duo recruit a bevy of guests, adding much more of a hip-hop influence to the projects sound, but still keeping it easier to categorize by descriptors like suffocating, bleak, and cathartic than by any musical genres. Citing dub as a primary influence on the album, the pair build tracks with crawling tempos and cavernous echo, but add thick blankets of distortion and chest-rattling bass. Bufords trebly shrieking and Walkers terrifying growls are accompanied by a multitude of other voices, mixing choral and ethereal singing styles on opener "Resin on a Knife," featuring Midwife. "Calcified Glass" is a bracing standout, with distorted vocals and drums from the Boredoms YoshimiO leading into a brief but spirited verse by Three 6 Mafia legend Gangsta Boo, who sadly died weeks before the albums release. Another horrorcore pioneer, Frukwan of Gravediggaz, is featured on "Low Orbit," rapping grisly, blood-soaked lyrics over a blown-out clubby beat. Elizabeth Colour Wheels Lane Shi Otayonii delivers some of the records most exhilarating screams and soulful wails on "Flower to Tomb," while claire rousays Auto-Tuned poetry on "False Epiphany" provides a moment of hushed intimacy. Foie Gras repeated hook "The world is a sightless pit" during the head-swirling closer "Futilities" somehow feels like one of the albums more grounded, assuring moments. Much more stylistically varied and ambitious than Sightless Pits debut, Lockstep Bloodwar is also more focused and successful. ~ Paul Simpson

ボディとフル・オブ・ヘルのメンバーが組んだエクスペリメンタルなコンビが2作目を投下。ノイズやグラインドコア、インダストリアルの異界を生み出す連中だが、今回は曲ごとにクレア・ラウジーやミッドワイフ、フルークワン(グレイヴディガズ)ら客演を迎えたためか楽曲の輪郭やビート感がくっきりして聴きやすい(?)。"Calcified Glass"ではYoshimiOが広げた裂け目からギャングスタ・ブーがマイペースに登場! とにかく一聴の価値あり。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ