Nov. 20 is Trans Day of Remembrance, when we pay respect to all of the trans people who gave their lives so those who came after them perhaps could have an easier life. We just elected the same fascist we did in 2016, proving America is made of memory-lapsed people who only can remember their owns needs, their neighbors be fucked. Protecting trans people has become an even bigger goal, and it already was paramount.

Riff Merchant Records always step up to the fucking plate, and they’re releasing a crushing, yet experimental split that pairs Sunrot and Body Void on a collection that benefits Black Trans Liberation for all digital sales. This collection pairs Jersey-based sludge/doom killers Sunrot—vocalist/noisemaker Lex Santiago, guitarists Christopher Eustaquio and Rob Gonzalez, bassist Ross Bradley, drummer Alex Dobrowolski—with Vermont sludge/doom noise killers Body Void—vocalist/guitarist/bassist/synth player Willow Ryan, electronic wizard/sampler/live bassist Janys-Iren Faughn, drummer Edward Holgerson—that always finds a way to erode your senses. Nov. 20 was chosen, by the way, to honor Chanelle Pickett, a trans Blak woman who was murdered that day in 1995, as well as Rita Hester and Monique Thomas, who both died in 1998 after being slain. Hundreds of trans people are murdered every year, mostly trans women, and according to a report posted on congress.gov, trans murders nearly had doubled between the years of 2017 and 2021, 73 percent of those killings committed with a gun. With the incoming regime, this issue likely will grow, among many other factors that are sure to affect the trans community.

“Still Burning” is the Sunrot opener and is a bath in pure noise, having it swim in the air around your head and into your senses, heading into “Shapeshifter” where an industrial poisoning greets you right away. Screams punish as the fuzzy doom batters your psyche, molten and sludgy madness forming a sort of black goo that bubbles toward you, spirited speed bursting from corners. The vocals smear as the heat creates layers, the power continuing to build until a slowly throttling gust bruises bone. Closer “Kill the Cop” is drenched in noise, a warped voice continuing to call the command that’s in the title. It continues to get more psychotic from a sound standpoint, the call out rippling, ending in a rapid charge, electricity and a relentless haze becoming an imposing cloud.

Body Void enters with “Assimilation System” that crumbles into a sound cloud, the playing pounding away, the shrieks scraping at the inside of your skull. Doomy energy boils over as the playing comes off like a heat ray, the carnage jolting relentlessly, drubbing as the noises continue to scathe. Screams rip and repeat, destruction spreading its wings, dissolving into “Crown of Fire” that has energy vibes hovering and pulsating. The frozen gasp of cosmic isolation grips tight, the dark crunch spreading as all sound falls victim to a black hole.

It’s more important now that we protect trans people all over as fascism is on the rise, and hatred for these folks never seems to die. Sunrot and Body Void have been at the forefront of underground doom and sludge bands that are fighting for trans rights and freedom. These are two battering bands that let their anger and disgust boil over to crush hatred, and hopefully this collection helps raise more awareness for the trans community and galvanizes supporters to demand safety and equality.

For more on Sunrot, go here: https://www.facebook.com/sunrotmusic/

For more on Body Void, go here: https://www.facebook.com/bodyvoid/

To buy the album, go here: https://riffmerchant.bandcamp.com/album/sunrot-body-void-split

For more on the label, go here: https://riffmerchant.bandcamp.com/