The Pitch: Norwegian sludge and rock trio Rongeur deliver a gritty, riff-heavy album via Poacher Records/Ampmandens Records. "An Asphyxiating Embrace is in essence a frustrated observation of the human inadequacy to make rational choices.” FFO: Fugazi, Neurosis, Eyehategod
What I Like: Rongeur's music represents the perfectly symmetrical collision of alternative and post-punk riffage like Fugazi with the crushing sludge of Neurosis. Tracks like "Mr. Hands" and "Special Needs" go straight for the throat with aggressive guitar hooks and wailing vocals while "The Weight Of Guilt" drags the listener slowly through broken glass and barbed wire. With a handfull of death growls and some seriously pissed-off drums, the letter of the day is A for "attitude." The entire album could be summed up with this single word, though there are some cool, almost Enslaved-esque swells of melodic keys that crop up here and there to shift the aesthetic (especially alongside the ripping solo closing "Wellpisser").
Critiques: For just 8 tracks in 30 minutes, I expect just a little more consistency. There aren't any truly bad tracks on this album, but at its current length they should all be 5 star material.
The Verdict: An Asphyxiating Embrace is an angry mother of an album that is harsh and to the point. While I wish every track could have been as good as "Special Needs," I applaud the interesting keyboard implementation and overall grungy vibe. Rongeur are another band who remember what it means to rock.
Flight's Fav's: Weltschmerz, Special Needs, Wellpisser
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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