Grave of a Dog - Sightless Pit: Review
is a new experimental rock super group made up of Kristin Hayter the mind behind Lingua Ignota, Lee Buford percussionist for experimental metal band The Body, and Dylan Walker frontman of grindcore band Full Of Hell. The three musicians came together to record this industrial noise and post-hardcore record that takes a really unique approach by not including any guitars on the record.
Review By Lavender:
After last years expansive, unique and encapsulating Caligula I was willing to listen to just about anything Lingua Ignota's name was attached to. Despite having never been a fan of just about anything Full Of Hell did and having an on and off relationship with The Body I was still excited for this record given the unique concept and the sheer creativity Kristin Hayter put together just last year.
The lead single to this record really got me excited and it's the first song on the record here. Kimgscorpse starts the record off interesting from its very first step. The track pairs some pulsating hypnotic drum patters with heavy walls of distortion and layered vocal harmonies that take up so much of the background space. The track is light on frontal vocals but given how much interesting stuff is going on in the track I think the mix is perfect. Both of the other singles were pretty good too, The Ocean Of Mercy is a track that starts off with some methodical chanting that fades into nothing as Kristin commands the track with her lead vocals. With the wall of meandering fuzz behind her she takes complete control of the track in a way that I think is pretty cool. The third and final single was Drunk On Marrow a track that wastes no time introducing a pounding distorted percussion pattern that absolutely shakes my skill. Seas of distorted vocals come crashing in over and over with varying intensity and while the song certainly has me on the edge of my seat while its on, it is a touch one dimensional.
With only eight songs on the album the singles ended up being quite predictive of the records sound, as well as being some, but not all of its best moments. Immersion Dispersal has some abstracted scowling black metal vocals that could have been a little bit more interesting given that the refrains aren't exactly dynamic. It makes up for it with the pulling electronics that flutter around in the background and the absolutely crushing breakdown it sets up for in the middle of the track. Whom The Devil Long Sought To Strangle is another big time highlight that has some disjointed percussion and keys giving the song a distinctly surreal sensation. The track builds up slowly to a hellish and unwavering final minute that absolutely crushes anyone daring to listen to it with a powerful sound, and I'm living for it.
Violent Rain is another track that prominently features Kristin but isn't going for quite the same commanding effect. The song is a very long build marked by grinding percussion hitting constantly in the background and as the track goes on it becomes increasingly taken over with with much more demonic sounding vocals phasing in and out. The song feels triumphant but I can't help but think it needed more time to work through its progression because it fades out long before I think the song could have reached its peak. The closing track Love Is Dead, All Love Is Dead is the longest song of the bunch at nearly 9 minutes. It is predominately a loose piano refrain paired with Kristin's haunting vocals. The song takes its time in leading through a long and detailed emotional journey and I like the song, but I can't help but think its an underwhelming closer and not one of the more engaging moments on the record.
The only song on the record I really didn't care for was Miles Of Chain which features a pretty loose instrumental but is dominated by loud black metal style sung refrains. I think I have to just say this kind of song isn't for me as the vocals are so obscured but seem to somehow be seeped in so much unnecessary melodrama that I just can't stand it when all is said and done.
The main complaint I have about Grave Of A Dog is that I wish there was more of it. The record has some amazing moments but too many of its tracks seem to sell their ideas short or really only have one main thing to offer. Despite this the talent involved shines at points and anybody who is a fan of any of the artists should do themselves a favor and give this project a listen because there is a good chance you'll find something you like. 6.5/10
