Petbrick are the brain-melting collaboration between metal legend Iggor Cavalera (Absent In Body / Cavalera Conspiracy / ex-Sepultura) and electronic noise maker Wayne Adams (Big Lad / Wasted Death). The unique collaboration has been perfected over the last few years in Adam’s London-based Bearbiteshorse Studio, so far yielding their debut album I in 2019, and a handful of EPs and split releases.
Their crossover sound and appeal has seen them perform at electronic events, as well as at Metal gigs such as Desertfest, and they are about to embark on an upcoming support slot for Converge’s European autumn tour.
Liminal (Neurot / Rocket Recordings)
kicks off with a moment of calm before the inevitable storm hits full throttle, where a laid back eighties-style synth intro on ‘Primer’ gives way to heavy juddering bass and drums, with Al Jourgenson–esque vocals providing an unusual concoction of Ministry and dubstep. After an opening of rave sounds on ‘Arboria’, heavy buzzsaw guitars continue the industrial meets Godflesh feel, before the track morphs into a complex arrangement of hectic percussion, both electronic and acoustic, with a deep pulsating bass meshing together to create a glorious cacophony of noise, that Aphex Twin would be proud of.
‘Pigeon Kick’ cranks the pace into overdrive where a distorted guitar riff gives way to jungle breakbeats and demented rave synths that again strongly bring comparisons to Aphex Twin’s more hectic work. Three tracks in and it is clear how well Iggor Cavalera’s ferocious drumming style converts to the electronic arrangements, as the deeply layered percussive patterns perfectly blend into one another.
‘Raijin’ drops the pace down again as slow soundscapes and creaking sounds of horror melt into each, sounding something like how a nightmarishly bad trip must feel. While ‘Damballa’ is an atmospheric slow-burn sci-fi builder, ‘Chemical Returns’ is a vocal led meandering slice of industrial fusion, and ‘Ayan’ is balls to the wall 4/4 hardcore techno akin to Industrial Strength Records offerings, which is kept interesting as Iggor’s tribal rhythms pitter-patter in the background.
Petbrick also bring in the influence of a number of guests on the record. ‘Lysergic Aura’ users rappers Lord Goat and Truck Jewels to create a sound blending the vibes of Dr Octagon and Bassnectar into another ferocious finale of gabba, while the hardcore techno vibe continues on ‘Grind You Dull’, featuring the rasping vocals of Converge’s Jacob Bannon, who spits “Don’t let this world break me down!” with venom.
Brazilian singer Paula Rebellato (Rakta) provides subtle dreamy vocals on ‘Distorted Peace’, a mellow and downbeat moment of respite in a floaty, Leftfield vein, while the album closes out with ‘Reckoning’, a deep and mesmerising climax where an intro of icy winds blowing gives way to the vocals of Steve Von Till with the line “The night drifts like the sea .. alone”, laying down his best Mark Lanegan impression with a deep almost spoken word drawl over long drawn-out minimal synth notes.
A mesmerising and calm finish, to a highly intriguing exploration of an eclectic and experimental fusion of sounds.
Buy the album here: https://petbrick.bandcamp.com/album/liminal
8 / 10
ABSTRAKT_SOUL_
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