2024-04-13 07:00:04
(c) Matthis Kleeb
Actually, you had Autumn almost written off. An impressive nine years have passed since their fourth and so far last album, and there were several line-up changes before the original line-up gave a concert in 2018 to mark the anniversary of their debut “Ride The Relapse” and finally decided to continue in this formation. Only now do these intentions result in something tangible, viz „Negative Music“. You can hear exactly the dirty, punk, fucked-up version of sludge, punk, hardcore and metal that once made Haust trendsetters and role models for bands like Kvelertak and Okkultokrati.
Kvelertak are a good keyword, because their frontman Ivar Nikolaisen is involved in “Dead Ringer” and gives the dirt slinger a real uppercut. Haust are back here with their old drive, letting black metallic riffs collide with punky Grant. At the climax, Nikolaisen appears and reduces everything to rubble – an exciting splash of color that fits perfectly with the usual negativity of the Northern Lights, who have another toxic piece of hate in their luggage with “Left To Die”. It takes a while for the track to get going, only to finally dissect everything with increasing enthusiasm and lash out with almost manic core energy.
In general, this album is a triumph of the ‘old’ and direct house, who clearly have little interest in false modesty. Instead, refreshing destructiveness comes through in tracks like “The Devil At My Heels,” which, after the extended intro, manifests itself in hoarse vocals and downright post-metallic guitars. Relentless hatred in every note, grooving heaviness and a wholesome middle finger prepare you for “Something Evil”, which definitely says it all. Leaden heaviness accompanies a noose that feels tighter and tighter as the Norwegians perform a doomy St. Vitus dance.
Without good nerves it will be quite difficult to survive here, but that’s part of the game at Haust. Not only that, the unrelenting negativity is finally being cultivated here again. Even if the later records were by no means bad, the return to the old sound and form on “Negative Space” is more than welcome. The reunited Norwegians devote themselves to the essentials, are out for elemental violence and sound as nasty, as grumpy, as unpleasant as in their best times. With a confident uncompromising attitude, Haust finally builds on their previous great deeds.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: April 19, 2024
Available via: Fysisk Format
Facebook: www.facebook.com/haustmusic
Category: Magazin, Reviews
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#Haust #Negative #Music