Diebold

It’s interesting that Montreal’s Diebold have sat on these six snarling songs since 2002 because some fantastic sounds are produced by their alternating drums and bass configuration. Sophie Trudeau (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) and Ian Ilavsky (Sofa) both currently play in A Silver Mt. Zion but six years ago, they were roommates who got together to form riff-oriented duo Diebold. The results of that union saw some light in recent years but this is their proper introduction and they aren’t out to make a friendly first impression. Coated with thick distortion, these instrumental pieces are boldly metallic, a riff-oriented pastiche that’s murkier than Big Black yet still seeks out subversive grooves. "Usaid” is a hulking mass of screaming bass on the edge of feedback with a straight beat infusing the song with menacing NoMeansNo grit. Songs like "Sure…” possess a disconcerting funk feel, while "Baboum Kaka Chic” sounds like industrial-tinged Tortoise. Diebold’s sound is aloof but Listen to My Heartbeast keeps you hanging on.