Album Review: cowman – Slaughter (Cruel Nature Records / Tenzenmen / COJU)

Since 2005 cowman has been producing deconstructive puerile noise rock. Slaughter is the name the of their new album and the sound of civilization collapse. Out now on LP and tape via COJU and Cruel Nature Recordings.

Cathartic, inane, chaotic, and lovable. Just a few words to sum up cowman’s new album and the noise rock they produce. Unusual and almost always unexpected, cowman’s style is not easy to describe… outside of the generic ‘noise rock’ tag. It’s a coalescing of styles. You can hear the rock, you can taste the groove, you can feel the fuzz, and the experimentation.

The latter word is certainly one that does sum with Slaughter. It’s experimental as hell. Confusing but charming, cowman aren’t just making a ton of noise. Tracks have rhythm and genre-bending ideas. It’s just an experience that sometimes takes a little while to click. Once it does though, it’s surprisingly infectious music.

That comes from the rockier aspect of the band, even though it can still be quite abrasive music. Is it likely to change the mind of a die-hard hater of this sort of music? Probably not, but it might leave them with some confusing feelings.

cowman – Slaughter Full Track Listing:

1. Hydrant
2. Rinka
3. Cape Coast Castle
4. Blackstock
5. Kissing the Rock with Eyes
6. Sticks, Stones, Fingers and Bones
7. Itch
8. Wichita Black Sun

Links

Bandcamp | Twitter | Cruel Nature Records