Lunglust – “Repetition Is Hell”
Lunglust is one of the best metal bands we cover.
But are they metal? And are they happy with that description?
‘Cause they describe themselves as “dirty hardcore.” But to me when a band has impeccable musicianship, changing time signatures/tempos and involved arrangements as this band does- Well, I’m thinking, I’m plum stuck on Metal Island.
And when I deem the vocals to be what Satan sings, when he sings his sweet lullaby’s to us (us being the extreme Christian right) I do note that it could be construed as hardcore vocals, too.
But as well-known death metal/hardcore vocalist Billy Joel once sang, “You may be right. I may be crazy. But it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for.”
I think you’d be crazy not to appreciate the power, the energy, the guts that Lunglust lays on us with their music.
I’ve seen this band a few times and I will say, not only do they have one of the best, aggressive, hard-hitting rhythm sections I know of- but I will say the best. So kudos to those two fine, gentlemen.
And though this band may exist on the fine line between metal and hardcore, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is some powerfully, strong, excellent material.
Let’s take a sample as I may be right. Though I most certainly am crazy
“Arrows” starts with some pounding drums and death vocals from the pit of hell erupting over the clean, white laced table setting of normal life. This song sticks daggers of sharp, dissonant notes into the heart of the verse like a noble bull striking it’s horns into the side of a matador. And then the chorus slows down building into an intense, burning decree. Some buzzing, trebly notes buzz around the title “Repetition Is Hell” in a relentless display of power and revulsion. The rhythm section drops off, after awhile, only to come back in smashing into the pesky swarms of bee-like guitars. The tension is built while the vocals charge in efficiently destroying any sense of well-being. This is an incredibly, intense potent tune that I could listen to again and again and again…
With a descending, scraping guitar “Broken Idols” (from the first EP) leaps out at you like a rabid dog that just broke his leash. With a one hit to the beat rhythm and a vocal that is foaming at the mouth, ready to sink its fangs into your musical throat. This song rhythms alternates but the spiteful, vicious vocals and driving, aggressive music never lets up. This is a claustrophobic, pounding, passionate release of energy and emotion splattered wildly and deftly upon your ears and mind and striking hard into your soul.
“Godless State” burst forth with some crashing, obliterating chords along with some tribal drumming as the guitars lay down a line against some wailing feedback. Soon the death/hardcore vocals arise and the music comes together in a more decisive way. Then we move along with a stomping, chopping beat layed out in an aggressive, violent manner. This song is a dense, prolonged thrust of venom and passion, reckless power and inflamed belief. This song chugs and headbangs relentlessly in a godless state but one with a euphoric flame burning perfectly within it.
“American Debt” begins with a simple, pleasant melodic line that is quickly corrupted with dissonant notes as the venomous death vocals bleat over them. The rhythm section is dirge-y, anchoring the beat to a malaise and foreboding figure. But soon the drummer’s sticks are twirling, the guitar strings are squealing and were shortly off onto a reckless hardcore romp. Anarchy is given a short respite when a harmonized guitar line from the beginning decides to pop up. But then this song becomes agitated and turns tables over, disregards posted speed limits and ignores social norms. And is aggressive, over the top, impolite, unseemly and possibly the best song on the album.
Lunglust, for me, is right there with I Am Become Death, Suffer On Acid and Led To The Grave as the very best metal bands we cover.
So call it what you may but I call it uncompromising music, powerful in intent and purpose, drawing inspiration from different sources but arriving at something that is hard, pure, true and great.
And whether you like metal or hardcore or just music that is loud, heavy and kicks ass- then I point you right here, then I think you need look no further than Lunglust.
And maybe Billy Joel, when I talk to him tonight, will only, begrudgingly patronize me with the phrase, “You may be right.”
But this music is built like a tank.
This music is like a bulldozer crashing headlong into a concrete wall.
This music would take Billy’s music and tare it to bits, rip it to shreds and scatter it up to be blown away in the wind.
But that goes without saying.
(Slimedog)
