Apparatus is a blackened death metal band from Denmark. Clawhammer PR writes:
APPARATUS' self-titled album is a staggering piece of grotesque art on which the band employs primordial weaponry in the invasion of multiple musical territories; the result an original, dense, and thoroughly devastating journey into audio horror. The incredibly crushing dynamics of the songs and the flow of the album result in a mind-bending, soul-scarring experience. The deeper one ventures into APPARATUS' macabre realm, the more harrowing and sadistically satisfying the experience. The abyss calls, the mortal world is poisoned, and barbarous energies unleashed; leaving permanent scars, both physical and mental. Abandon all hope ye who enter here.
In essence, Apparatus is like a doomier, blacker Portal. The guitar work is similar in its insect-like qualities, but the song structures are far more traditional. The vocals are also more decipherable. There is still some dissonant chaos as with the mismatched, seemingly random piano flourishes contrasting with the doomy chug of "Sphere" or the weird failing motor sound of "R'lyeh."
"Dissecting Temporal..." caused my ears to pirk up when the blueprint of mirk is suddenly tossed aside for some clean vocals fit for a church of satan sermon. Other tracks like "Miskatonic" and the opener sound more like straight funeral doom. It's like putting Shape of Despair, Portal, and monk chanting on shuffle.
But whatever the current mode is, it's all done well. My patience or lack there of can't handle many slogging 10 minite drudges, so the fact that these tracks are relatively short and focused suits my tastes well. Meanwhile, the shifting pace and atmosphere helps keep me interested no matter what is going on. This is doom for the ADHD generation. Still extreme, but more digestible.