Album Review: Throat – Bareback (Svart Records)
Set for release on 31st August 2018 via Svart Records. With a new and improved line-up, Throat’s sophomore album, Bareback, sees the band plunge head first into unprotected encounters with musical elements hardly even hinted at on their previous releases.
It’s hard to know what to make of Throat at first. Safe Unsound’s quiet first couple of minutes with vocals reminiscent of Peter Steele don’t exactly wow but when the beat kicks in we get a much more rhythmically challenging track. The vocals taking on a sermon-like quality preaching to the masses about the end of all things. Not content there though, the song shifts again. This time bringing echoing bass, drums and the sound of localised destruction. The two swap places volume-wise with the crashing noises taking over and ruining ear drums all thanks to the screeching feedback.
A very odd opening song, things don’t get any easier with No Hard Shoulder or Recut. The former has a punk-vibe with a raw production that makes it sound nasty. The latter lays on some nice doomy-style groove that is shaking in bass throughout.
After a fairly standard start it is nice to hear Throat find their feet as the album goes on. The unusual fuzziness to Bone Strike adds layers to the solid beat of the rock song. It’s also possible to draw some distinctions between Bareback and Nine Inch Nails when you hear a track like Shortage (Version). The industrial effects are dark and uncomfortable.
Truthfully, Bareback is a little bit all over the place. Lots of ideas thrown out and while many work, it certainly comes across a little confused at times. Born Old is a return to the punkier sound of earlier but in a much more more friendly way as it’s surprisingly catchy. While Rat Domain goes for a fast hard-rock style number before Maritime comes out all guns blazing with a lovely piece of happy-go-lucky groove.
Throat – Bareback Full Track Listing:
1. Safe Unsound
2. No Hard Shoulder
3. Recut
4. Bone Strike
5. Shortage (Version)
6. Born Old
7. Rat Domain
8. Maritime
You can order the album via Svart Records in a number of formats as well as via the band’s Bandcamp. Find out more by checking out Throat’s website, Facebook Page and Instagram.
Throat - Bareback (Svart Records)
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The Final Score - 6/10
6/10