By: Charlie Butler
Album Type: EP
Date Released: 29/09/2017
Label: Red Moth LLC
“VI” is another impressive release from Close The Hatch that
explores the boundaries between post rock, noise rock and sludge in distinct
and captivating fashion. Hopefully it will gain the band the wider acclaim they
truly deserve.
“VI” CD//DD track listing:
1).
Purgatory
2).
II
3).
III
4).
The Art of Knowing
5).
Little Did He Know
6).
VI
The Review:
Close The Hatch continue to develop their
intriguing brand of muscular post metal on new EP “VI”. The Ohio quartet’s 2016 EP “Death And Resistance” was a tantalising fusion of post rock
atmosphere and super-dense sludge condensed into focused mini epics. Over the
course of “VI”, the band refines this
sound to perfection and reach new heights of spaced-out heaviness.
“Purgatory” begins with chiming guitars
that craft an ambience reminiscent of Russian Circles in
their quieter moments. The mood is soon shattered by an avalanche of filthy
distortion and a full-throated guttural roar. As the track progresses it shifts
between massive angular riffs and swathes of dirty fuzzed-out melody that bring
to mind an unbeatable alliance between Sumac and Deftones.
Throughout
“VI” Close The Hatch
utilise this quiet/loud dynamic to devastating effect. The band manages to
negotiate these sonic manoeuvres in an interesting way and avoid obvious
slow-building crescendos but still make sure every riff hit home hard. The
pummelling noise-rock rumble that erupts from the ominous calm of the central
section of “The Black Art Of Knowing”
is a particularly fine example of this. Even when the
band head into more obvious epic territory on the seven minute title track they
maintain their identity helped by the addition of some guest vocals.
“VI” is another impressive release from Close The Hatch that explores the boundaries between post
rock, noise rock and sludge in distinct and captivating fashion. Hopefully it
will gain the band the wider acclaim they truly deserve. Check out the brand new and exclusive for their devastating hymn "Purgatory" below
