Glaukom Synod- Ogre

ARTIST: Glaukom Synod
ALBUM: Ogre
LABEL: Self-released
REVIEWER: Matthew J.
DATE: 6-23-08

Perhaps responding to previous reviews that overstated his affinity for random noise, Glaukom Synod creator Gabriel S. has intentionally given his newest release a more structured sound. Noise and extreme music fans have little to worry about, however. If this album is a less disjointed effort than previous releases, it's certainly no less abrasive. Things began with the brutal industrial march of "Passive Retro," drenched in feedback and scattered with glitches, before moving into the grinding guitar loops of "Translute Jugulate Iniquit (XXVII)" and the multi-layered rhythmic aggression of "Trephination and Ruminance (The Iron Tongue Part 2, Swallowing Infinite)." Power electronics and extreme metal remain major sources of inspiration, as evidenced by "Intragenitose," a relentless industrial death march mated by force to low-fi death metal brutality, and "Sci-Fix It," a frantic assault of speedy synth wavering and guitar manipulations. "Totalitarian Nuclear Warlust" is more purely electronic, all finely chopped samples and tinny strings, while "Vulvotronic Dominator" hints at death metal with its gurgled vocals while retaining a more rhythmic focus with rapid staccato beats. While this material is less purely random than Glaukom Synod releases past, it retains a similar nervous energy. The difference is that this time that energy is expressed not through disjointed track changes but through a more intricate approach to rhythm; the best tracks here, like "Multiplex of Affliction," recall such acts as Hecate with their combinations of gory vocals and high-BPM breakbeats. More structured, maybe, but certainly not softer, this album sees Glaukom Synod achieving new heights in sonic aggression. Be careful with this ogre; it isn't friendly.

For more information about Glaukom Synod, visit https://glaukomsynod.site.voila.fr/.