Album Review: Blunt Knife Castration – Blood & Oil (Self Released/Remorseless Records)

Blunt Knife Castration, the sludge metal project led by Simon Bryant, is back with ‘Blood & Oil’, the brand-new album. Out on the 27th of February digitally and on CD through Remorseless Records in the US.

I really liked ‘Live Fast Die Slow’, the debut album of Blunt Knife Castration. The ugly and mean sound of extreme metal really appealed and it’s heartening to hear more of the same here. Albeit with refinement, more creative elements, and expanded genre exploration.

Following the disconcerting scene-setter that is Miasma, Blunt Knife Castration comes stomping out of the gates with the crusty sound of Gunshot Selfie. Here, we get more of the filthy punk side of the band, lively in the way a swarm of flies are as they buzz around a corpse. It’s garish, but you could say that about the entire album, especially when Degeneration comes with such a vicious infusion of noise (a frantic guitar solo is a cool touch) and Lone delivers a cacophony of uncomfortable instrumental sounds and vocal screams.

One of the aspects I find so appealing is the fact that Blunt Knife Castration is quite capable of varying up the extreme and through that, keeps a hostile and disturbing soundscape interesting. It’s more than just genre-bending, it’s experimentation in styles that normally don’t see a lot of shifts. That is how we end up with something as grim as Guilt Pig. One of the most fascinating Blunt Knife Castration tracks heard to date. Especially as it’s also so damn heavy.

How about Swallow though? The intro is sobering, but how this track really leans into earlier psychedelic hints makes it special. That and the fact that, overall, it’s chaotic, groovy, and delightfully weird. This might be my favourite track by Blunt Knife Castration to date.

Though I won’t deny my appreciation of fast-paced, aggressive numbers like Play Victim. The vocals are really intense on this one. Nor will I argue that the title track isn’t deliciously sinister. The track taking on a bit of an industrial form, albeit with agonising noise rock twists.

Another top effort is Menial Mutt, where those looking for a bit more sludge will get exactly what they want. Calling it heavy doesn’t cut it, but many might find themselves surprised by how addictive it is too. Then there is Coward, focusing on more ‘lovable’ crust punk sounds, before this excellent record wraps up with something quite special, and unexpected to some degree. Not only is it nearly eight-minutes long, but it’s elaborate too, taking us on a strange and experimental journey filled with grim, lurid, and intense sounds.

I don’t know what I expected with this album, but I can tell you that I didn’t expect it to be as experimental as it is. A really interesting and compelling listen. Blunt Knife Castration rises above the extreme moniker to be something everyone should take note of.

Blunt Knife Castration – Blood & Oil Track Listing:

1. Miasma
2. Gunshot Selfie
3. Degeneration
4. Lone
5. Guilt Pig
6. Swallow
7. Play Victim
8. Blood and Oil
9. Menial Mutt
10. Coward
11. Skinny Fingers

Links

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