Totem

First observation is that this EP is much darker than the previous Jex Thoth/Totem releases. Over the 20 minutes, or so, of the running time, the mood and tone of the music shifts further and further from a rhythmic, pounding doom metal into an oozing mass of bass and eerie organ. This effect can be simulated by leaning over a pan of very hot water and putting a towel over your head and the pan… bring on the doom sweats.

But listening to this record is by no means hard, or straining, or sweaty. Just because the tone is heavy and the tracks are swimming in strange and avant-garde instrument work, doesn’t mean that you’ll come out at the other end tired, or bored and reach for some Axxis. Jex’s vocals are still as intrusive as ever and are this EP’s gem. There’s no denying her vocal power as every syllable is harmoniously driven home in true style; yet- so subtly- the wonderful sound guides you by the hand through the ominous turbulence of the latter tracks.

There is something missing though; all this darkness came at a price. For all the guitar and bass wonders, there is a lack of base ingenuity and the tracks seem to strangely repeat themselves. The acrobatic sound from the album has been eroded away by the search for a more tar-like feel and the end product is 3 tracks that sound like they started off exactly the same but evolved on different continents.

To wrap it up: it’s a good release. If you enjoyed anything these guys did previously, you won’t be too disappointed by this new offering. It’s a generous helping of Jex Thoth and it leaves you wanting seconds, but a bit of salt and pepper might’ve been nice.