Today I am jamming to
Sombre Dessein the new album from Swiss progressive sludge and post-hardcore band
Herod. While Herod’s sound can be described as sludge they share more in common with the volcanic, theatrical rush of The Ocean and the mind-bending scrape and slam of Gojira than the raw carnivorous tumble of Crowbar. The concept behind
Sombre Dessein is rooted in the exploration of what guitarist and primary songwriter Pierre Carroz calls, “the consumption project,” the current global post-industrial late-capitalist project to mine and exploit the world and its resources as quickly and as ruthlessly as possible. The entire album boasts a super-heated mix courtesy of Julien Fehlman, which enhances the wicked palpating grooves of “Reckoning,” the staggering juxtaposition of gnashing riffs and sinking sonorous bridges of “Silent Truth.” and the psychedelic, slow-rolling rock-crusher “Mourning Grounds.” However, the high point of the album has to be the rage-fueled “Forked Tongue” a methodically down-pressing and hypnotic groove drill that will leave you breathless and begging for more. A dose of economic and environmental consciousness to get you pumped for the weekend.
