Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: Gnod's new album, Spot Land, is a sumptuous re-examination of their sound, reminiscent of artists like Popol Vuh and Coil. Known for their intense, noise-rock performances, this album might initially surprise listeners. While 2022's Hexen Valley was a sludgy, intense journey, Spot Land is a bucolic contrast, representing a dramatic evolution rather than a departure. Recorded in just four days in a Rochdale mill, Spot Land features five richly textured tracks. Paddy Shine, the sole producer and mixer, brings an esoteric historicism from his Moundabout project. The album opens with 'Peace At Home,' a track that seamlessly blends low bass, picked guitar, and a sampled Benedictine choir, creating a beautifully crafted piece. 'Dream On' is abstract and quirky, with rhythmic energy matching Gnod's previous works. 'Khapal Bhati' (Sanskrit for Shining Skull) showcases restraint, with thumb piano tinkling and background murmurs creating vast, creative spaces. Album closer 'Pilgrim's Progress' transports listeners with the sound of Christians chanting in an Azorean church, enhanced by Gnod's unique musical style. Gnod has been a constant presence since their arrival, with different records resonating with different Quietus contributors. Yet, Spot Land stands out, moving listeners profoundly. A reflective, thoughtful album ithat's a fascinating milestone for one of our most cherished groups.

Review: Hexen Valley hail from one of the most beautiful places in the world - West Yorkshire. They formed in summer 2021 from the ashes of Good after meeting in a co-op house at the 200-year-old Nutclough Tavern. They soon set out on some mad jamming sessions in Hebden Bridge Underground studios and four plenty of inspiration struck. Ideas for lyrics came form all manner of curious sources such as shop noticeboard messages and pub conversations in Hebden which lend the record a very British and real feel as the indie, post-rock and experimental electronics whizz and fizz all around.

Review: GNOD, the ever-evolving psychedelic noise-rock collective, returns with Inner Fucking Peace, a transformative collaboration with Portuguese vocalist MC Sissi. Known for constantly reinventing their sound, GNOD delivers an album that pushes new boundaries. Comprised of eight tracks for voice and electronics, this release merges experimental textures with Sissi's stream-of-consciousness Portuguese lyrics. The album showcases a broad sonic palette, from the minimalist tuned percussion of 'Stop' to the ominous electronics and crashing industrial drums on 'Get Out', reminiscent of GNOD's touring partners Harrga. Tracks like 'Tea & Eggs' delve into reggaeton-infused minimal synth, while 'Flute Theme' centers around chopped and screwed woodwind arrangements. MC Sissi's contributions, often improvised, bring an emotional depth to the album. Her irate vocals, mournful crooning and playful autotune add a new dimension to GNOD's industrial beats and spaced-out synths. With tracks ranging from hypnotic hand drum workouts to the gloom-laden 'Cannela Crematoria', Inner Fucking Peace marks another bold, unpredictable chapter in GNOD's extensive discography, leaving fans eager for what's next.

Review: Salford's most electrifying and unclassifiable band are back for the attack a mere couple of months after their paint-stripping 'Just Say No The Psycho Right-Wing Capitalist Fascist Industrial Death Machine' opus, and once again they've morphed beyond all recognition with the help of Dutch psych troupe RMFTM. The result of this collaboration, first premiered at the Eindhoven Psych Lab festival and later performed at Roadburn, is an ever-shifting and feverishly oppressive work, shot though with minimalist malice and post-punk dynamism, and as likely to appeal to fans of PiL and This Heat as abstract electronica. Another impassioned and fiercely impressive works from one of the finest bands in the land.

Review: Goat's World Music offers a captivating blend of Aboriginal, Nordic, psychedelia, acid Rock and tribal influences, exuding strong rock overtones driven by powerful female vocals that command attention with their intensity and strength. Throughout the album, listeners are treated to mesmerizing organ leads that add an ethereal dimension to the music, while abrasive and rash guitar work injects a raw energy into the sound. Tribal percussion rhythms further enhance the album's immersive atmosphere, transporting listeners on a sonic journey. With its diverse range of influences and eclectic instrumentation, World Music defies traditional genre boundaries, making this a listening experience that stands out.

Review: While past releases like Requiem and Oh Death hinted at mortality, Goat embraces themes of transformation and endless renewal for their newest album. The band effortlessly channels hypnotic, rhythm-heavy performances that are equally suited for euphoric dancing and deeper introspection. The album opens with 'One More Death' and 'Goatbrain',tracks full of exuberant energy, laced with gritty funk and fuzzed-out guitar riffs. As the record unfolds, Goat's exploration of hip-hop influences comes to the forefront in the final track, 'Ourobourus,' an epic blend of captivating chants and rapid-fire breakbeats, evoking the circular journey of its mythological namesake. Much like the Ouroborus, the album loops back to the beginning, reinforcing the endless cycle it symbolises. In the ever-evolving present moment, Goat offers an invigorating escape into their world of ritual and reinvention. One of the more unique garage albums you will hear.

Review: Goat returns with their latest self-titled album, the third in as many years, to ecstatic fans of the band. This ever-enigmatic collective continues to push boundaries, delivering a record that blends rhythmically intense rituals with an unmistakable energy that both invigorates dancefloors and stimulates the mind. The album kicks off with 'One More Death' and 'Goatbrain,' two tracks that capture Goat's hedonistic spirit through sharp funk grooves and guitars drenched in fuzz and wah. These tracks set the tone for an album that never shies away from exploration. The closing track, 'Ouroborus,' inspired by the ancient symbol of cyclical rebirth, showcases the band's love for hip hop, combining infectious chants with relentless breakbeats reminiscent of Lalo Schifrin's work. This finale brings the journey full circle, echoing the idea of endless renewal. Goat's new album continues to affirm their dedication to transcendence and transformation, offering listeners a potent escape into a world where the only constant is change.

Review: Goat's latest eponymous album continues their enigmatic journey through the realms of mysticism and musical exploration. The Ouroboros, symbolising eternal cycles of death and rebirth, perfectly encapsulates the band's ever-evolving sound. Building on their previous worksilike the introspective Medicine and the haunting soundtrack to The Gallows Poleithis release dives deep into rhythmically charged, ritualistic grooves with a blend of infectious funk and transcendent psychedelia. Tracks like 'One More Death' and 'Goatbrain' set the tone with their hedonistic funk and aggressive guitar fuzz, resonating with long-time fans. Meanwhile, 'Fools Journey' offers a meditative experience with its free jazz influences and shamanic textures, reminiscent of their side project Djinn. 'Frisco Beaver' revisits the party vibes of 2012's World Music, while 'Zombie' and 'Ouroboros' merge hip hop elements with celebratory chants and energetic breakbeats. As Brad Dourif's character from Wiseblood wisely notes, the journey is about finding escape and renewal. With this album, Goat delivers an exhilarating experience, reinforcing their status as pioneers in the psychedelic and ritualistic music landscape. This pressing on vinyl offers a fitting tribute to their dynamic legacy.