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Released on April 29, 2016 via New Density
My previous exposure to Lord Mantis came with the Pervertor album, released in 2012 via Candlelight Records. The Chicago band plays a style most commonly referred to as “blackened sludge”, which has drawn comparisons to acts as diverse as Converge, Dragged Into Sunlight, Neurosis and even the funereally slow Grief. However, I struggle to hear great similarities to those bands, with the possible exception of DIS. While the down-tuned tones and occasional wails of feedback may bring Grief to mind for fleeting moments the pace of much of Lord Mantis’ output is significantly faster. I’d be inclined to describe them as brutal, sludgy doom-metal.
NTW is a 4 track EP, which sees a changed line-up from the previous full-length Death Mask, which emerged through Profound Lore Records. Long-time studio collaborator Dylan O’Toole, formerly of Indian, is now full-time Lord Mantis vocalist and brings his nightmarish howl to bear in a throat-shredding display of hellish intensity. Part Khanate’s Alan Dubin, part Iron Monkey’s Johnny Morrow and part “excuse me while I vomit bile on your rotting corpse” his scream fits the music perfectly. Indian’s own albums Guiltless and From All Purity, released by Relapse Records in 2008 and 2013 respectively, were outstanding examples of twisted and updated variants on the doom template. O’Toole has replaced Charlie Fell as Mantis front man while Will Lindsay, previously with Wolves In The Throne Room and Nachtmystium, assumes bass duties. Former producer Sandford Parker isn’t involved this time, but NTW does not have the feel of compromise or stop-gap.
Opening track ‘SIG Safer’ blasts home in blistering fashion and would fit comfortably onto a Satyricon record, such is the black metal feel. ‘NTW’ (‘Nice Teeth Whore’) commences with a slower, persistent, penetrating rhythm before breaking down to a near-crawl at the midpoint then meanders to rest with some deft guitar work. ‘Semblances’ follows and is ushered in with the catchiest refrain of the EP, if such a thing as “catchy” can be applied to such dissonant tones, accompanying a mid-paced tempo. Closing track ‘Final Division’ provides the highlight of a strong piece of work which never relents in its intensity.
This release comes highly recommended and augurs well for any future full-length release. Definitely worth checking out by doom and sludge fans.
