JUGGERNAUT

Juggernaut is a dark, brooding atmosphere that is masterly crafted for reasons of inducing horrors, which is mostly what Lustmord is known for anyway. I've always admired Lustmord's ability to take average sounds, and only a light touch of electronic manipulation, and end up with a severely ominous atmosphere. On Juggernaut there are field recordings of doors opening/closing, footsteps, and over very ordinary sounds combined with the guitar playing of King Buzzo from the Melvins. Honestly, I could do without the guitar playing that basically makes this album sound like a quicker Sunn O))) album, but I generally focus on the electronics. Lustmords samples of single violin notes, near-tribal percussion sounding booms, experimental squealing electronics, furious winds and booming thunder make this album what it is - dark, ominous, full, and entirely atmospheric. The violin is especially effective in its purpose, and the single-note drones never change pitch, but alternate in intensity. "Item" is the standout track, one reason being that it lacks boring guitar riffing. It's the final and most atmospheric of the 4 tracks, and it drones in and out of windy, rainy, and thundery soundscapes accompanied by the distant voices of a madman giving a darkly sermon on the horizon through a megaphone. Very creepy and convincing.

Again, King Buzzo was probably a bad choice. I do like the Melvins, but I don't feel like hearing sludgy riffs in my evil atmospheres because it seems clowny. Fortunately, Lusmord redeems this quality throughout the album. Definitely not a bad album, but not my favorite from Lustmord. I know King Buzzo is a good friend of Lustmord, but I really hope this isn't going to remain a constant collaboration, for the sake of sound.