EP Review: Cattle/Girl Sweat – Live at Assembly House – Split (Self Released)

2019 sees the vinyl release of ‘Live at Assembly House’, a split LP featuring two of Leeds’ noisiest and most cathartic live experiences – Cattle and Girl Sweat. Recorded live in front of a crowd at Assembly House (Armley, Leeds) on 1st July 2017 by Ross Halden, the record is a collaboration between one-man garage-noise maniac Girl Sweat and double drum noise rock attack Cattle.

Side One features ‘Light Assemblage’ a single, twenty-minute semi-improvised piece from Girl Sweat and Cattle, with side two as a live ‘ritual’ performance of two songs ‘Chant for Eternal Power and Glory’ and ‘Ingesting Godliness’ by Girl Sweat’s hypercult alter-ego, nine piece Girl Sweat Pleasure Temple Ritual Band, featuring guest guitar from Avant guitarist Junzo Suzuki (Japan). Both sides capture the intensity of the live performances, encasing the pummelling, psychedelic wall-of-noise swirl of the acts in vinyl form.

The self-released LP will be available to pre-order online from Feb 11th 2019 with an official launch date of March 16th 2019 accompanied by a live show at Brudenell Social Club.

You can read our review of Cattle’s earlier release, Nature’s Champion here.

Spacey sound effects build relaxing the mind and comforting like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night. The softness wraps around you like a cocoon while the wind howls and evil things beckon for you to come outside. It goes on for a good few minutes before dropping away quietly and we get some vocals shouted out, leading to a change in sound. A more uncomfortable and oppressive direction, this is the sound of darkness creeping in. Embrace the Light Assemblage.

The second track begins with chanting group vocals before hell is unleashed with a horror show of sound effects. For 20+ minutes the oppressive noise warps and twists the mind. It’s dark, cold and unwelcoming sounds punctuated by distant shouts and background drums. A mesmerising track that feels half the length it is as you get lost within it.

As always, a release like this will have as many people hating it as love it. If you fall in the latter camp then we have two of the strongest drone, drum and noise bands in the country right now delivering a cathartic and memorable experience.

Cattle/Girl Sweat – Live at Assembly House Split Full Track Listing:

1. Light Assemblage
2. Girl Sweat Pleasure Temple Ritual Band – Chant for Eternal Power and Glory/Ingesting Godliness

You can order the EP now via Bandcamp.