Lockweld "The Timeless Art of Destruction" 3" CD
[NCC]
This limited edition 3" CD-R kicks off with a repetitious and loop based number in "Part 1" (all of the tracks are named in this format, through "Part 7"), which is somewhat restrained and persistent before leading into the harsher "Part 2", which is still "restrained" by harsh noise standards, but I really like its sparse structure and biting feedback. There's a lot of room for the sounds to move around, even when throbbing low-end undercurrents start to rise to the surface. "Part 3" is the longest track at four minutes flat, and increases the activity level a bit with more of a windy midrange distortion that eventually crumbles down to an all out harsh attack that maintains the same general texture. The following selection is similar but cuts in and out in less than a minute's time, while "Part 5" loads in with a shitload of crazy reverb. "Part 6" is probably the thickest and most in your face as far as adding low-end to the distortion and letting the overall sense of movement get somewhat chaotic; but it's the closer that finally unloads an almost ridiculously loud and abrasive wall of harsh, distorted insanity that really crushes the hearing. Both members are credited with some form of vocal duties, but I honestly can't make out any vocals in these tracks, so if they're there, they're very much masked by heavy effects and manipulation. The disc comes in a clear plastic sleeve along with a black and white insert and a logo pin. The insert looks a little rough and contains nothing but plain text and graphics from the duo's website, but it gets the job done. I haven't heard much from Lockweld in awhile, but it's cool that this EP seems to be a bit of a different approach for the group. It's still true to their aggressive and machinated form of harsh noise, and there's still a ruggedness to the recording quality befitting of that aesthetic, but the material all tends to be a bit more repetitive and stripped down in the individual tracks, while certain cuts like "Part 2" are really quite different from most of the Lockweld back catalog. There's not a lot of variation in each song, but as a whole very few tracks sound similar to one another, and it's definitely a slight change in delivery for Lockweld. But like I said, it doesn't stray so much in the grand scheme of things. This is numbered of just 50 copies, so collectors beware. (6/10)
Running time - 18:34, Tracks: 8
[Notable tracks: Part 2, Part 7]
NCC Records - http://www.ncc-records.com

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