Thou are a band that I came into contact with a few years back and and they pretty much flattened me when I heard them. I was stunned by the heights of emotion Thou are able to achieve time and time again with their music. They are incredibly active and have released many pieces of music. Thou’s recent collaboration with The Body comes just a short time after their fourth full length statement, the utter and jaw dropping, Heathen.
I am not as acquainted with The Body as much as I am with Thou, but I have had the chance to listen to some of their recent work with The Haxan Cloak. The Body bring with them some highly abrasive composition that is certainly noticed within Released From Love.
Released From Love opens with a steady buzz of guitar feedback hums for a moment before a ferocious and gut turning riff explodes into the atmosphere on the first track, “The Wheel Weaves As The Wheel”. At the two minute mark, the track takes a more primal tone, extremely aggressive vocals are framed by some bizarre ritualistic chants. The realization that in just a few minutes both Thou and The Body are able to envelop you in such darkness is mighty impressive. “Manifest Alchemy “and “In Meetings Hearts Beat Closer” sit in the middle and are able to push Released From Love even further into shadows.
“Coward,” the final track, starts in a far more gentle way with some clean guitar and subtle bass rattles. More chants, disturbing and somewhat faint creep in, but not for long. Powerful drums break through from beneath the crusty surface and shift the song into another mood. A vicious one full of intense emotion. It sends this slab of granite down to the base of a canyon with thunderous force. Thou continue to show why they are such a revered entity within heavy music and The Body certainly live up to their abrasive reputation. Released From Love beats down on you and then slithers off into the night. It will pulverize your ears and it sounds and feels deeply heartfelt. Highly recommended listening.
Rating 4.8/5
Thou – http://noladiy.org/thou.html
The Body – https://www.facebook.com/pages/the-body/334047229514
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