There is no such thing as there being enough bands in existence to fight back against oppressive power structures. There is strength in numbers, and the more bands we have like that, the better because it means there’s an increased chance the message gets out and that people who feel the same way are galvanized and don’t lose hope.
Luckily, we seem to have more and more bands taking on the just battle, and one of them is one-man black metal force Tumultuous Ruin, helmed by H who is offering up debut full-length record “An Abscess on the Heart of the State.” This project has been prolific with smaller releases since coming to life three years ago, and each step has been properly volcanic. This full-length is more than just a full serving of what H does so well; it’s an absolute damnation of fascism, a bloody strike back against those who would assume power over all, give back none, and ensure the spoils are all for them. This record wages war against the idea, refusing to rest until the playing field is level.
“Destroy What Destroys Us” lights up right away, crushing bodies and skulls, the howls rushing alongside synth that glides like a laser. Crunchy and blasting fury follows, guitars absolutely wrenching and trudging, the keys zapping, the murkiness disappearing into space. “Sabotage Glee” has great riffs that enter and sweep, deeper growls aiming to gut, and the fire exploding to dangerous levels. The playing gets monstrous as the melodies increase, the synth builds, and a final blistering assault leaves flesh scorched. “Desecrate Machine As Our World Dies” dawns in a blinding fury, the howls burying everything with impressive power. Guitars darken as total demolition takes over, black death pummeling, a warped voice warbling, “This was an act of self-defense.”
“Revel in Downfall” opens in a synth cloud as the playing unloads ominous melodies, darkness and heaviness clasping hands and pushing into hell. The playing rushes as the howls echo, wild shrieks rain down and shock, and the guitar work is both glorious and ultra-violent, fading into ash. “Unmoor” begins with clean notes and a clip from “The Northman,” an absolutely brutal film. A doomy haze makes things frosty and unforgiving, the guitars bleeding into darkness and dropping the curtain on this instrumental piece. “Dystopic Hellscape” brings a melodic gust that loosens teeth, the howls wrench, and some clean notes trickle behind the electric storm. The bass chugs as the riffs fire, bringing scarring and hypnotic heat that caves in chests. Closer “Last Rites of the Dying World” begins with mournful riffs and creeping growls, crushing with bleakness and making bones ache. Noise hovers overhead and brings a hypnotic feel, and then the guitars reengage, spilling blackness. A sorrowful deluge takes hold, unloading final gasps of chaos that slowly fade into the horizon.
The need for more explosive bands that lash back against oppression and fascism is apparent, and artists such as Tumultuous Ruin are hungry to fill that void and set fire to all power systems. The music itself is destructive, melodic, and hungry, a huge burst of violence and chaos that deals a heavy blow to those who would stomp us down with their boots if given a chance. “An Abscess on the Heart of the State” is a record that lets you know what’s to come from its title alone, and once you’re inside, the power and determination is so heavy, you can’t help but get swept up by its wave.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/tumultuousruin
To buy the album, go here: https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/album/an-abscess-on-the-heart-of-the-state
Or here: https://vitadetestabilisrecords.bandcamp.com/album/an-abscess-on-the-heart-of-the-state
For more on the label, go here: https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions
Meat Mead Metal 