By: Dominic Walsh
Album Type: Full
Length
Date Released: 11/09/2015
Label: New
Heavy Sounds
All in all, Terminal builds on what Limb have already achieved and
is ultimately better than their top notch debut. The tracks on Terminal are
well crafted, and the whole piece is tighter throughout. Absolutely no time is
wasted on the album with every note being completely integral to the success of
the album
‘Terminal’
CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). Three Snake Leaves
2). Ghost Dance
3). Micromegas
4). Dawn Raiders
5). Spoils of a Portrait King
6). Down By The Banks
7). Sleepwalkers
8). Mortuary Teeth
9). Cocytus
Limb is
Rob Hoey | Vocals
Sam Cooper | Bass
Tom Mowforth | Drums
Pat Pask | Guitar
The Review:
My
first exposure to Limb came when they were main support to New
Heavy Sound label mates, Black Moth last year. I was instantly
enamoured by them and subsequently ensured I was the owner of their superb,
self titled, debut opus (on a lovely slab of green and black wax). I included
it in my list of picks for 2014
at The Sludgelord, and then sought about waiting for a new record. That new
record comes by the name ‘Terminal’.
Immediately,
‘Terminal’ sounds slicker, groovier,
more polished...but ultimately, just as
heavy. Whilst the record's track listing suggests an opening trio of songs, the
whole 8 minutes of music flows seamlessly and magnificently. ‘Micromegas' lead guitar riff is an air
guitar dream and the middle section of the track sounds as expansive as the
imagery captured in the cover art for the album. The opening of ‘Dawn Raiders’ has a Beastie Boy's
‘Sabotage’ feel to it before a
straight up rock track ensues. ‘Down By
The Banks’ rocks hard with some vociferous drumming driving the track.
Whilst dealing with primarily sludgy grooves, ‘Mortuary Teeth’ has a much harsher, almost grind feel for its
snappy 2 minute duration. The maniacal vocal delivery is a snarling success. ‘Spoils of a Portrait King’ has some
utterly despairing doom moments too; the strings on Limb's heavy bow are many!
The
band close out the record with the near nine minute ‘Cocytus’. The groove is tight and solid. The haunting, chanted
vocals over the monotonous and chugging riff that accompanies the closing
strains show that the band is not afraid to expand and be playful with their
brand of heaviness. ‘Cocytus’ is a
towering and epic ending to a superb album. All in all, Terminal builds on what
Limb have already achieved and is ultimately better than their top notch debut.
The tracks on Terminal are well crafted, and the whole piece is tighter
throughout. Absolutely no time is wasted on the album with every note being
completely integral to the success of the album.
‘Terminal’
is available here
RIYL:
Eyehategod, ElectricWizard, Weedeater