By: Ernesto
Aguilar
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released:
17/11/2017
Label: Gilead Media |
Halo
of Flies
Northless’
chemistry has gotten better, and the compositions are much more rich and the
effect is nothing less than absolutely crushing. If you enjoy intelligent sludge, "Last
Bastion of Cowardice" is for you.
"The Last Bastion of Cowardice" CD//DD//DLP track listing
1.
The Origin Of Flames
2.
Godsend
3.
The Devil In Exile
4.
Slave To A Scorched Earth
5.
Their Blood Was Always Mine
6.
Never Turn Your Back On The Dead
7.
Extinction Verse
8.
Last Bastion of Cowardice
9.
Our Place In The Dirt
10.
Rotting Days
The Review:
The
National Alliance on Mental Illness notes that one in five adults in the United
States experiences mental illness in a given year, while one in 25 will experience
a serious mental illness in a
given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life
activities. We've seen these issues played out again and again on the national
stage, often in the form of violence. However, tragedies are only the hint at a
much more widespread problem.
Now
10 years into its career, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin’s Northless has continually
captured hopelessness in its blackened, noisy sludge. Their 2011 album "Clandestine Abuse," 2013's "World Keeps Sinking" and the
2016 EP "Cold Migration"
gave fans intense, personal and heavy music. Their new album, "Last Bastion of Cowardice,"
delves headlong into a much darker place, telling the story of a person who
discovers the futility of violence.
In
his day job as a social worker, guitarist/vocalist Erik Stenglein mentioned in
recent interviews the scope of mental illness he sees on a daily basis. Human
suffering an institutional lack of empathy and neglect for people's most basic
needs are all far more significant than you might
imagine. His experience, combined with today's headlines, offer a poignant
backdrop to what is, even stripped down of concept, a savage return for Northless.
Fans
of Northless'
work will take in its first one-third of the album with a lot of satisfaction.
Drummer John Gleisner and bassist Jerry Hauppa concoct a sinister foundation
for those first three songs. "The
Origin of Flames" opens festivities with a tremendous noise
rock/post-punk influence that enhances the sludge base of the quartet. "Godsend" slows the rhythm down as Stenglein's
mammoth vocals take center stage. This cut also lets you appreciate Nicholas
Elert's guitar riffs and his overall contribution to the band. As you reach
"The Devil In Exile,"
which brings back in a bit more of the post-punk and even hardcore edge to the
band, longtime listeners will appreciate the maturation process for Northless.
The group's chemistry has gotten better, and the compositions are still more
rich. Oh yeah, and the effect is nothing less than absolutely crushing.
Furthermore
"Last Bastion of Cowardice"
is effective because it weaves stories that are at once topical and still not
crack-you-over-the-head political. No shots at bands who can make political
music; 2017 has seen many exemplary songs that are socially conscious. Northless
just happens to be the strongest at creating a mood and presenting songwriting
that everyone can relate to in many a fashion. Without spoiling more of the
story, Stenglein and company are faithful to telling their story through the
tracks. "Their Blood Was Always
Mine" is tightly wound lyrically. If you enjoy intelligent sludge,
"Last Bastion of Cowardice"
is for you.
"The Last Bastion of
Cowardice" is available here
and here
