Årabrot

Årabrot's fifth album, Solar Anus, explores George Bataille's concept of man as a mix of God and animal. With their blend of noise rock and black metal, the band weave a philosophical narrative using a variation of repeating riffs that venture into hypnotic, trance-like states accentuated by Kjetil Nernes' concise vocal overtones. The Norwegian band enlisted the help of Steve Albini, known for recording more than producing. The result is that Solar Anus sounds live. The disadvantage of the raw quality is that it muffles layers of sound that need to be heard, especially in the drone-tinged noise rock of Årabrot. Regardless, the synchronicity between drums, a single baritone guitar and vocals are impeccable (as demonstrated in "Nubile"). Nernes on vocals has foreground control, showcasing anything from shrill shrieks to gutturals. Årabrot channel the likes of Isis and Neurosis in musical structure and Godflesh in tone and vocal additions. In conjunction with the concept, Solar Anus is Norwegian noise rock with grandeur, a series of repeating riffs with varying tempos, punctuated by the onset of musical breakdowns that flit between lulling repetition and blasts of sound.