By: Aaron Pickford
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 07/05/2012
Label: Relapse Records
‘Undeniable highlights are ‘Her Little “Accident” which
also serves as the first video from the album, “Sad Clown” and “Ants
in my Bloodstream” where Cris Jerue and his band of nihilistic warriors appear to be content
on initiating the Panzram choke hold. Intent on inflicting a barrage
of pain with seismic drum beats, courtesy of Mateo Pinkerton, unyielding bass from Tony Baumeister,
and to top it off colossal riffs, complete with subtle and off-kilter nuisances
from axe wielder Bobby Ferry. This batch of songs are about as
uncompromising as you’re ever likely to hear.’
‘Deep Cuts from Dark Clouds’ CD//DD//LP track listing:
01. Theme From "Pillpopper"
02. Parasite
03. Her Little "Accident"
04. The Sad Clown
05. Ants In My Bloodstream
06. Broom Pusher
07. Opium Hook
08. Bowels Of A Baby Killer
09. Beyond Fixable
10. Only Photographs Remain
02. Parasite
03. Her Little "Accident"
04. The Sad Clown
05. Ants In My Bloodstream
06. Broom Pusher
07. Opium Hook
08. Bowels Of A Baby Killer
09. Beyond Fixable
10. Only Photographs Remain
(16) is
Bobby
Ferry | Guitars
Cris
Jerue | Vocals
Tony
Baumeister | Bass
Mateo
Pinkerton| Drums
The Review:
What
is clear from the opening burst of riffs from album opener ‘Theme
from a ‘Pill Popper’ is that -(16)-are about to take you on a journey of
hate. Playing an ugly, caustic and unrelenting blend of
sludge metal, -(16)- appear
to have thrown down the gauntlet and called their peers to arms. ‘Deep
Cuts From Dark Clouds’ will leave all the fakes and pretenders
in their wake, and by taking delight in reaching their apex, they may have
produced the definite album of their career. -(16)- front man Cris Jerue barks out
on the album opener ‘What went wrong, the sky turned grey’, if
the answer is a bad acid trip? That is a picnic in comparison to this
record. Perhaps that’s the point, -(16)- play a blend of dark and
unsettling music that will no doubt serve to bewilder and delight fans alike.
Album
tracks such as ‘Parasite’ and ‘Opium
Hook’, with groovy and pulsating riffs, in addition to the
misanthropic lyrics; invoke a disturbing portrayal of drug addiction, failed
relationships and an underlying hatred of the world. To quote Serial
murderer Carl Panzram "I wish all mankind had one neck so I could
choke it!" and -(16)- appear to
intent on doing just that.
Undeniable highlights are ‘Her Little “Accident” which
also serves as the first video from the album, “Sad Clown” and “Ants
in my Bloodstream” where Cris Jerue
and his band of nihilistic warriors appear to be content on initiating the
Panzram choke hold. Intent on inflicting a barrage of pain with
seismic drum beats, courtesy of Mateo Pinkerton, unyielding bass from Tony Baumeister, and to top it off
colossal riffs, complete with subtle and off-kilter nuisances from axe wielder
Bobby Ferry. This batch of songs are about as uncompromising as you’re
ever likely to hear.
20
years on, -(16)- appear
to be recharged, reinvigorated and ready to assume their rightful throne at the
top of the sludge metal wasteland. Largely outsiders, and on the
periphery for years due the emergence of New Orleans scene, ‘Deep
Cuts From Dark Clouds’ is a game changer and blows
everything else out of the water. Unyielding, unrelenting and
inexorably stubborn -(16)- have
finally arrived.
Enjoy!
Because once you hear this record, and despite the pain being self inflicted,
your compulsion to press the repeat button will be too great to resist. Astonishing
work of vitriolic splendour! Buy immediately.
‘Deep
Cuts from Dark Clouds’ is available here
