At this point, it would seem foolish to even try and introduce Thou. After a mere seven years but a staggering amount of records (over 25), ranging from full-lengths to splits and EPs to demos, Louisiana’s finest sludge doom purveyors have garnered something of a venerable reputation, in many ways taking half the time some bands their senior would. “Resurrection Bay” is their first release of 2012 featuring solely new material, following their cover of Soundgarden’s “4th of July” on the split with Kowloon Walled City. This on the other hand is a split 7” with Salem, Oregon’s Hell and each serve up one track each.
Thou’s “Ordinary People” is a short song, by Thou standards, at six and a half minutes but captures everything that is truly wonderful about this band. It’s agonisingly slow and sickly, moving with the torturous pace of dying leper with no destination, just crawling into the abyss. The song has no discernible climax and comes to a trudging, fade out conclusion. In many ways, it’s teasing and unfair. Thou must certainly have something special brewing for their next release, whether that’s a new album or an EP… or anything. The only complaint that can be made about “Resurrection Bay” is how heartbreakingly short it is.
Thou have very much become the focal point of this 7” but Hell have released their slab of sonic aggression that is a sound to behold in its own right. The five and a half minute “Sheol” treads in similar territory, with slow lumbering riffs and black metal-esque vocals spewed out over it all.
Very much approaching their craft from the same school of thought as Thou, the duo still throw enough spanners in the mix to create a tormenting and unique dirge for their side, most notably, in the eerie clean guitar tones. They exude a coarse melancholy next to the harrowing vocals that conjure up such a powerful and evocative atmosphere, which is crucially important. Hell, almost with ease, ooze despondent atmosphere, pulling you deep into a dark, grotty world that you may choose not to come out of.
“Resurrection Bay” is criminally short, with just two tracks, leaving you craving more. But knowing Thou, more can’t be that far away and Hell, hopefully, will begin work on their next full-length album. For now you’ll just have to make do with these two short offerings of gloomy brilliance.
The 7” is sold out from Gilead Media but still available from Pesanta Urfolk.
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