Milwaukee-based blacksmiths of sludge metal, Northless, have been privy to a great deal of attention of late. The band’s unique brand of downtuned doom finds them playing the centerpiece of a Venn diagram of elaborate hardcore and guttural death metal. The result is something that is at least tangible to even the snootiest metalheads and the most selective hardcore aficionado, yet affable enough to be lauded in local publications and even honored with a signature burger at Chicago restaurant Kuma’s Corner.
Today, the band unveils its latest and most focused effort, Clandestine Abuse, a double-album that seems like a fitting vehicle to making what is undeniably Milwaukee’s loudest band into one of its most up-and-coming too.
The record wastes not more than three seconds before inciting the almost hour-long blitzkrieg. Thereafter, the sonic cityscape is peppered with a bombardment of jagged screams, crushing cymbals and a muddy smattering of metallic thunder. It’s the kind of stuff that – for a moment – makes you consider tearing off your own head and throwing it at an enemy. Then again, that’s something you can only do once – if at all. Admittedly, I’m probably the last person you’ll see head banging (IT’S NOT LIKE THAT! The Maas lineage is plagued with sensitive neck musculature. Look, I have a note from my doctor), but I was not only able to listen to this from front to back a few times, I found myself enjoying the ride.
Unlike the rickety Leaving The Wolves EP the band released last spring, Clandestine Abuse carries with it a great deal of depth, both in song structure, as well as in the layering of the instruments and vocals. It’s the type of album you listen to as background music to cleaning or answering e-mails and, before you know it, you’ve stopped everything and have been listening intently for 20 minutes.
Much of that lies in the former duo (now a four-piece) seeming to be finally at ease with its increased density. The vocals are way down in the mix and even more difficult to understand than the indecipherable roars that are standard of the ilk. However, I think only serves to highlight the quality of the turret gun of guitars, the tight drum fills and the lead apron of distorted bass that blanket them. One song bleeds into the next, with a few ambient interludes carefully set between aggressive battle hymns.
This isn’t the first Milwaukee has heard from Northless and—considering the band had added members and placed an emphasis on touring—it won’t be the last either. But for the time being, this is the best Milwaukee has heard from Northless. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to cool off with a dose of The Cardigans.
Northless plays at the Borg Ward (832 W. National Ave.) with Protestant and Thou at 9 p.m. tonight (March 8). Pick up Clandestine Abuse on vinyl. The 2LP comes with a download code.
