Album Review: Ploughshare – Ingested Burial Ground (Brilliant Emperor Records)

Ploughshare’s new album ‘Ingested Burial Ground’ takes its inspiration from a dream sequence inspired by a novel. The album features five initial tracks, followed by a B-side regurgitation of those same offerings, featuring re-imaginings by artists such as Sow Discord (David R. Coen), Alex Macfarlane (Faceless Burial), Ignis Fatuus (Grave Upheaval, Portal), Ascanyx, and Xeno Chemist.

It will be released on December 8th, 2022, via Brilliant Emperor Records.

The band describes it:

As an exploration of some of the influences and ideas behind the band that have previously been addressed only in the margins, through using different configurations and instrumentation. All our records, to now, have entailed experimentation in some form. This record perhaps stretches that approach further through using new techniques and tools and playing with sound in new (for us) ways. The intention was to change the approach and force something new to happen whilst still remaining Ploughshare.

There’s nothing wrong with some experimentation and Ploughshare certainly test that statement with their uniquely structured new album. Ten tracks long, five of which are new and five of which are remixes/re-imaginings of those same tracks by some ground-breaking artists.

That might lead you to believe that Ploughshare’s new songs are bit more ‘traditional’ but that’s far from the case. Each is a nightmarish and atmospheric trawl through unmitigated industrial and noise-based horror. Panic inducing and effects-laden, every second brings an immense level of discomfort.

A Horrible and Terrifying Impression will create intrigue, but it’s The Cold Horror is Clear that really brings the record into sharp focus. Both dripping in dark and chilling vibes, yet it’s music with some emotion.

The shiver of someone walking over your grave will shake the body as Two Awful Creatures brings with it a vast amount of dread. Followed then by the buzzing, crawling and stinging intensity of Divulging Bees, Spiders, and Scorpions. A skin-crawling and chaotic listen. Before An Uneasy Dread Rose shakes the foundations of experimental metal with one of 2022’s most discombobulating efforts. Truly, there has been little like this, this year.

Whether you think that’s a good thing or not, well, just listen and decide for yourself. One thing is for sure though, Ploughshare make an impression.

With that in mind though, few won’t be left wondering just what possible extra experimentation could come from the remixed and reimagined versions. As it turns out, quite a lot. Five reimagined tracks that build, twist and adapt the horror of Ingested Burial Ground into something truly different. Considering the level of wickedness that already exists in Ploughshare’s music, it really does take something special to make their music even more atmospheric and mood-altering.

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