Thursday, 27 August 2015

Limb - 'Terminal' (Album Review)

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'sSabotage’ 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




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