In the current musical landscape Death Metal has stretched its influence into many different neighborhoods from Hardcore to Jazz, while simultaneously, the reverse is happening. Among these reverberations, Dissonant Death Metal has become a beast of its own. Massive, imposing and confounding, the sounds explored in this sector may be challenging but reward with moments of true otherworldy ascendancy. Dissonant DM churns, swelling and contracting in a metamorphosis that is parallel to passages in Jazz or various types of Psychedelia. Those who have mastered this art guide the listener on dark and horrifying journeys, escalating towards an unknown manifestation of iniquity, or perhaps, a basal sense of purity. Altarage, hailing from Bilbao of the Basque Country, have spent 11 years honing their personal brand of Dissonance and have arrived at a true opus with Cogwheel.
Clocking in at a monumental 74 minutes Cogwheel is a an experience to behold. Twisting ever deeper into dark cavernous depths, large angular riffs clash over frenzied blast beats and an unholy shout growls out from somewhere in the distance. The album is an organic yet mechanical monster best experienced in full, however each track stands on its own and posses unique surprises that encourage repeat listens. Steeped in atmosphere, Cogwheel washes over the listener and soon enough we become part of a fractalizing nightmare that holds on long after the last note.
The voyage begins with “Peso Meurto” immediately setting loose hammering riffs and percussion before stepping back into the darkness. After the dust has settled “Weilder” picks back up, drilling even harsher than before, suddenly a brief respite leads into “Future Wreck”. Tension continues to build and we are drawn even deeper into the gloom. “1988” is a murky passage through noise and terror commanding the way towards “Not a Proper Burial”. Perhaps the heaviest track on the record we have reached the bottom of the aural pit and are pummeled with a supreme sense of urgency and concentration. Eventually we are left to ponder our existence as “Ichor” begins. Without warning we are liberated by a divine articulation, in the unexpected form of a clean majestic vocal delivery, guiding us towards an insidious demise through “Industrial Offereing. The album ends and one is left to ponder their experience.
Links to buy their merch in the US are below as are their bandcamp and ig.
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