Some artists don’t know what it means to rest on their laurels. These indefatigable types must constantly move forward, churning out a constant flow of new music under a confusing menagerie
of monikers.
Justin Broadrick is one of these, and Aaron Turner is not far behind. Both are also heavily involved in every aspect of their various musical projects, from the recording process right through to the business end of distribution. It was only going to be a matter of a time before these likeminded musicians came together, and now they have with Grey Machine.
Disconnected is the second volley from the band, after an EP earlier this year. Initially it seems more redolent of Broadrick’s extensive Godflesh catalogue, but as it unfolds the influence of Turner’s varied sonic interests is unveiled. Grey Machine is completed by Diarmuid Dalton (Godflesh/Jesu), and Dave Cochrane, who Broadrick recorded with in Head of David over 20 years ago.
The sum of this equation is something that is so volatile it threatens to collapse in on itself throughout the eight lengthy excursions here. Unrelentingly harsh and overbearing, this is industrial music as it was imagined by ’70s avant-garde artists, filtered through the most extreme stuff created over the prevailing three decades – black metal, noise and dark ambient.
And dark Disconnected generally is, with a typically bleak Broadrickian view of the post-industrial landscape, with titles like We are All Fucking Liars, Vultures Descend and Just Breathing. Yet as the remorseless wall of sounds builds, a certain shade of beauty emerges from the din. Hidden behind the smothering curtain is in fact some hint of majestic melody, some shard of light to illuminate the gloom. The art of noise indeed.
Taking a completely different approach to exorcising their contempt for modern living, yet equally vehement and compelling, is Converge’s latest Axe to Fall. If there’s one heavy band that never disappoints, that always reaches higher, whose intensity only increases with time, it’s this Massachusetts quartet.
It was hard to believe they could continue to step up after the impeccably realised You Fail Me (2004) and No Heroes (2006). And yet they have. Already Axe to Fall has been bestowed with accolades even from those outside heavy music. No wonder though, as this leaves most of what is passed of as metal, hardcore, or punk, for dead.
What makes Converge different to the majority of their peers? At its base is their pure intent. Where many audibly masquerade as the disaffected, Jacob Bannon, Kurt Ballou, Nate Newton, and Ben Koller force you to feel their shredded emotional states. In some unperceivable way the listener comes
to share the plight of the creator – in
the manner of all the best music, or indeed art.
Guitarist Ballou, who also produced Axe to Fall, is a clear standout, driving proceedings along with a range of dynamics that veer from menacing to out and out vicious assault. And vocalist Bannon is as ever the voice of utter despair, of eternal hope, and everything that lies between those poles.
Nothing can beat that this month, although Baroness give it a go with their second album, Blue Record. Although much more in the metal realm, this Virginia band play with a similar level of conviction. There’s certainly something of mid-career Mastodon in the galloping rhythms and in John Baizley’s full-throated roar, yet Baroness are undoubtedly their own entity.
There’s an air of unaffectedness about the four piece, no pretensions or grand ideas, and it certainly comes across in the songs. Direct, arranged for maximum impact, and maximum pleasure, the dozen tracks on Blue Record are welcome relief from the heavier matter already covered this month.

Grey Machine
Disconnected
✱✱✱  
Harsh noise flecked with beauty
in Jesu/Isis collab.

Converge
Axe to Fall
✱✱✱✱✱
Stunningly intense effort from
Massachusetts hardcore heroes.

Baroness
Blue Record
✱✱✱
Enjoyable classic metal excursion
from young Virginians.

TOP FIVE
•    Easy Star All Stars − Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band
•    Black Hole − Dead Hearts
•    Left or Right − Nuggety
•    Hudson Mohawke − Butter
•    2562 − Unbalance

CLASSIC
•    Talking Heads − True Stories