Post by The Moderator on May 28, 2009 13:23:48 GMT
first review:
Taken from www.metalteamuk.net
It’s no coincidence that this piece of Black Industrial ambiance from Minethorn is reminiscent of The Axis of Perdition, as they share two band members and a record label. I don’t know if it’s me but the style which The Axis of Perdition, Aborym and co. purvey seems to be less prominent these days, having reverted to its natural underground home. Here it makes a welcome return, but Minethorn’s contribution is less brain-twisting. Nevertheless my impression of ‘Junk Hive Noir’ was of a grey day and piles of dead bodies, with the only light coming from the furnace amid the mass of machinery operating to capacity. If you’ve ever been to Appleby Frodingham steelworks in Scunthorpe, you’ll have a picture.
This album isn’t monophase at all, nor is it monotonous. It’s clinical, for which read ‘well produced’, and this is a plus point but it’s far more than an exercise in the reproduction of an industrial wasteland. Each track has an identifiable rhythm which makes it easier to hang on to than The Axis of Perdition. The environment is not lost on account of the ‘melody’. The basis of the soundscape is the real world in all its harshness.
The first two tracks are dark and sinister. Sirens sound. The delivery is forceful in a similar way to Red Harvest. It slows down on ‘Consumer’, a doomy and apocalyptic track which recalls early Cult of Luna. ‘Detrivore’ comes crashing down, again like a Cult of Luna epic. The beat is steady, the bass pounds ominously. There’s a background wall of sound. The track ends with an industrial explosion and the crashing of hammers. ‘Compactor’ signals a change of direction. It has a fast beat with twists. There’s a chaotic air, but it’s well strung together. The sound of a car alarm serves as background to another doomy track. The distant anger and despair again recall Red Harvest. ‘Reign’ features a punishing, yet rich and catchy riff, sandwiching a sinister doom section. The vocals have the air of Lee Dorrian but in an Extreme Metal context. A dark and classical synth-driven end leads us into the magnificent ‘Voivox’. This is utterly dark and apocalyptic. The synthesiser whistles, the drum rolls menacingly, while the guitar tone is slow and strident. It’s despairing and sad. The vocal distortion just adds to the nightmare. Finally, ‘Transmission Ends’ has a sort of ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ feel about it. Kraftwerk would have revelled in this one. It comes from the heart of the factory with its complete range of mechanical sounds. The job is done.
‘Junk Hive Noir’ captures a particularly sinister mood but is all the more appealing for its twists and variety. A lot of thought has gone into this. It’s a dark and at times nasty journey but one which is well worth experiencing.
Taken from www.metalteamuk.net
It’s no coincidence that this piece of Black Industrial ambiance from Minethorn is reminiscent of The Axis of Perdition, as they share two band members and a record label. I don’t know if it’s me but the style which The Axis of Perdition, Aborym and co. purvey seems to be less prominent these days, having reverted to its natural underground home. Here it makes a welcome return, but Minethorn’s contribution is less brain-twisting. Nevertheless my impression of ‘Junk Hive Noir’ was of a grey day and piles of dead bodies, with the only light coming from the furnace amid the mass of machinery operating to capacity. If you’ve ever been to Appleby Frodingham steelworks in Scunthorpe, you’ll have a picture.
This album isn’t monophase at all, nor is it monotonous. It’s clinical, for which read ‘well produced’, and this is a plus point but it’s far more than an exercise in the reproduction of an industrial wasteland. Each track has an identifiable rhythm which makes it easier to hang on to than The Axis of Perdition. The environment is not lost on account of the ‘melody’. The basis of the soundscape is the real world in all its harshness.
The first two tracks are dark and sinister. Sirens sound. The delivery is forceful in a similar way to Red Harvest. It slows down on ‘Consumer’, a doomy and apocalyptic track which recalls early Cult of Luna. ‘Detrivore’ comes crashing down, again like a Cult of Luna epic. The beat is steady, the bass pounds ominously. There’s a background wall of sound. The track ends with an industrial explosion and the crashing of hammers. ‘Compactor’ signals a change of direction. It has a fast beat with twists. There’s a chaotic air, but it’s well strung together. The sound of a car alarm serves as background to another doomy track. The distant anger and despair again recall Red Harvest. ‘Reign’ features a punishing, yet rich and catchy riff, sandwiching a sinister doom section. The vocals have the air of Lee Dorrian but in an Extreme Metal context. A dark and classical synth-driven end leads us into the magnificent ‘Voivox’. This is utterly dark and apocalyptic. The synthesiser whistles, the drum rolls menacingly, while the guitar tone is slow and strident. It’s despairing and sad. The vocal distortion just adds to the nightmare. Finally, ‘Transmission Ends’ has a sort of ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ feel about it. Kraftwerk would have revelled in this one. It comes from the heart of the factory with its complete range of mechanical sounds. The job is done.
‘Junk Hive Noir’ captures a particularly sinister mood but is all the more appealing for its twists and variety. A lot of thought has gone into this. It’s a dark and at times nasty journey but one which is well worth experiencing.
