Coming from the Art As Catharsis stable, Siberian Hell Sounds continue that label’s remit to release what must be the most intense, progressive and underground music available in Australia. A slathering, ball of hardcore energy charred into a blackened mis-shape, this EP signals an intent from the band to pummel your senses into oblivion.
On first listen, Svengali is nothing more than a indecipherable burst of noise which you struggle to make sense of. The band are obviously angry about something, but you’ll be hard pressed to find out what as the manic riffs and drums make any sense of understanding a bit of a stretch. As your senses start to return an overwhelming feeling of being bludgeoned repeatedly on the head remains.
Patience favours the brave though and repeated listens start to reveal that under the surface of the blackened hardcore is actually a rather intelligent band. Once the swirl of white noise dissipates you start to recognise actual structures and beyond its first time bluster there is an EP of songs which beg to be explored further.
Best on here is the opening two tracks of ‘Ripen’ and ‘Seed’, which reveal hidden textures behind the noise as they progressively search for deliveries of rage unheard before. Almost calm in the face of later track, ‘Hypnoterror’, by which, become that time, you will have completely lost track of where you are within the EP, they display an innate sensibility in building up intensity. All the great hardcore punk acts know how to do it, and beneath the black metal bluster, Siberian Hell Sounds do too.
At 17 minutes long there is little respite and maybe a moment of clarity within the burning intensity may have helped elevate this release to something special. As it stands it does its job in annihilating your senses and lovers of hardcore and blackened music will find much to enjoy. It’s testament to the band that you do find yourself hoping that on a longer release they may show more relaxed moments and given the space of an album, they could be capable of special things. For the time being you will have to make do with having your senses bludgeoned, albeit in an enjoyable way
