Nukk is a self-described neocrust/drone/screamo/ambient band from Wroclaw, Poland. This self-titled effort is their debut EP, though the members have previously been in other bands. It will be released August 10th digitally and physically in two versions – a standard digisleeve and a "mystery pack." Like certain elements of the band's approach, each copy will be unique and strictly limited. Fans of Botch, LLNN, and Valve are gonna love this.
If one were to stop at "Aubrite," you've been fooled. This fully ambient opening track is simply the calm before the storm. I find this track to be quite engaging on its own, but it works even better as a counterpoint to what is to come. "Dagger" strikes hard and spills blood just like its namesake, but the contrast with the opener allows it to make that extra penetration to the bone. Post-hardcore screams of agony join with alternatively sludgy and crusty riffs, booming bass guitar, and hypnotic pounding of toms.
"Glaciers" steps the bleak, cold atmosphere up several notches with its appropriately doomy pace. The first half of this song trudges through 3 feet of snow in search of the nearest campfire, but all we can see for miles is a sea of white. All we hear is the howling wind. And then BOOM, the ice breaks beneath and we are left tumbling through another destructive barrage of metallic hardcore. The subsequent trudge through the dark of "Morr" furthers parallels with other mathcore and noise groups, always building towards a cataclysmic conclusion.
By the end of "1706," just 22 minutes after this whole journey began, you will already be left feeling exhausted. Boots soaked through, broken bones, and not an ounce of strength left to drag your worthless body even an inch further. That's where they'll find you: blue and buried in several feet of snow. Such is the imagery of Nukk: one of complete despair. I'm sure the writing process has a lot more to do with the current political climate or more personal topics, but that doesn't stop me from seeing this particular metaphor play out dramatically in my mind with each listen. Find your own interpretation at their bandcamp page when it streams on Friday.
