‘The Beckoning Bell’ begins firmly in left field, what sounds for all the world like deranged chickens but might be infected frogs squawk-croaking away until the massive bass-driven riff ‘n’ rhythm hit, and Hell spews forth from the guts of vocalist Andrew Ashworth. Already a rollicking almost loping groove is present, albeit intermittently shattered with chaotic moments of blasting death euphoria. This, friends, is a 7+ minute trip through your lower intestinal tract, so deep is the rumble manufactured by SLIMELORD here.
Dual leads vomit us forth into ‘Gut-Brain Axis’, each guitarist being revealed as more than capable at crafting emotive solos over the course of this extended abuse. One thing the Yorkshire lads have never turned their back on is dragging out a song to almost unbearable lengths, but rest assured, interest doesn’t falter, despite the unhurried tempo over much of the album. Think less lollygagging and more a slow, deliberate pace, and you have the idea.
‘Batrachomorpha Resurrections Chamber’, the fulcrum here, is strangely PINK FLOYD-ian in that THERGOTHON way, less actual song than a loose pattern of ideas woven into a coherent soundscape that often leaves the listener feeling out of sorts. Moments of VOIVOD in the coda, possibly even GORGUTS, and that’s when it hits me. Production-wise, at least, there’s something very Obscura era GORGUTS about this debut.
Witness the penultimate ‘Tidal Slaughtermarsh’, where after ripping faces in gleeful grindcore abandon, a mid-paced wave of sludge and ooze cascades over thine ears invoking the name of the tune. Truth in advertising, I believe it’s called. Truly the sum of what’s come before, it’s ridiculous to assume this could be anything except the final song in live shows, so much is the energy that has to be expended by the quintet.
Not for the faint of heart, nor weak of stomach. Only five years deep in the muck, and if Chytridiomycosis Relinquished is what SLIMELORD’s doing on their first album…
Review By: Lord Randall
SLIMELORD
Chytridiomycosis Relinquished
20 Buck Spin