Acquisition of Corpses

Low-fi, crumbly, depraved. Thanks for asking.

Eerified Catacomb (EC) has been causing a stir amongst the Bloodfucker Maniacs (RIP Marco) dwelling deep in the dank, decaying underground. Uh, I mean this project is going to appeal only to a select few. This is a solo project of the prolific U.E. (name unknown), which aside from this project, is probably most known for being 1/2 of Nächtlich. If Nächtlich is the somewhat responsible child, making logical choices in life and doing just fine, EC is like the strange, drugged out, depressed scumbag sibling who keeps to themselves except when they want to show you some stuff on rotten.com. The name of the game with EC is slow, loose (perhaps improvised?) and somewhat psychedelic tunes, typically melancholic and haunting in nature (as opposed to aggressive-- though there are certain passages where things pick up from time-to-time). Production ranges from low-fi to abysmal mess. In fact, production is a VERY important aspect to EC; the noise resulting from recording method is as much an instrument as the guitars, bass, etc. Vocals and the effects applied to them are another defining characteristic of EC. Boy, are these vocals NECRO! U.E. Simply ear piercing (in a good way). Depressive howls and deranged moans, ramblings etc. are also used to add to the debauched atmosphere. Do you remember that track "Suffer the Gestalt" by Mutiilation? Picture a project based on that sound. Synths are likewise used on occasion to color the tracks.

But... that is the typical EC release... what do we have here? This is a straight up noise release with some experimental dark ambient thrown in for good measure, which verifies my earlier suspicions that U.E. is a noise fan with good tastes. Concerning the noise, there are no discernable traditional rock instruments, though they could have been used for the source to make the noise. The noise has a very crumbly, bass-y texture, likely resulting from the distorted source material being pushed "into the red" multiple times on tape. In fact, keeping in EC tradition, everything on here sounds recorded to tape. There is both free-form noise and loops of noise/synth. These loops evolve, however, which is a touch I appreciate and serves to keep the work engaging. Vocals also make an appearance in the style outlined above. Despite the vocals, this is not a power electronics release; there is no repetitious bludgeoning and the noise here has ample movement. I think the closest thing this reminds me of is Dead Body Love's early material, such as the classic "Low-Fi Power Carnage," which I urge anyone to check out if you're interested in classic 90's harsh noise.

After the initial noise assault, relatively clean and minimalist synth abruptly takes over following a tasteful cut. This provides excellent juxtaposition in the composition, providing tension relief. The synth sounds like a fucked organ that can't keep a consistent pitch (an effect no doubt aided by the tape warble). Monophonic triangle waves modulated by another oscillator likewise make an appearance, providing a machine-like, industrial or sci-fi quality. This shift from crumbling, tense noise to more stripped down industrial synth not just provides relief but a change in overall atmosphere/feeling and thus inspires different mental imagery. Before you know it, the necrophiliac assault is over. This is a short but sweet release (see run time).

In conclusion, this a great little release that compliments the more traditional black metal entries of EC. I personally do not have any complaints. The noise is texturally pleasing and dynamic (as good noise should be), vocals are top notch as always, there is tasteful variation and cuts, the synth work is great and there is, in my opinion, a good deal of character. The only reason not to give it a perfect score is that I would not consider this an absolutely essential noise release. I've always said that getting into noise from extreme metal is not a huge leap. If raw, noisy black metal is your thing, you should give this a shot. Maybe you'll find that the noise is enough and you don't need rock instruments.