Review: Khünnt - Failures

The delightfully monikered Khünnt is comprised of members from Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs and Blown Out, so straight away you know this is NOT going to be a pastoral folk number reminiscent of an autumn wander through the woods. What it is is heavy to the point of collapsing in on itself, but this heaviness, in itself, has a hypnagogic vibe that makes this Riot Season release strangely relaxing.

Initially built on repetition; a simple guitar chord repeats over some heavy duty drone and the fuzzing of feedback and distortion with some spacey effects thrown in for good measure. This becomes truly hypnotic and you find yourself drifting off in a haze of crackles and hum. The reverie is broken with a guttural scream and everything is lifted up a notch. The repetition continues but the wailing of lost souls provide backing vocals to the doom laden riff. This is not a ‘feel good’ album, but it is compelling, especially if you are a fan of all things slow’n’heavy. Things progress nicely in this hellish manner; the diabolical maelstrom providing the soundtrack to infernal torment. A breakdown in proceedings, all distortion, feedback and wails, heralds a change in tack....the guitars become heavier, gradually building in intensity. The feedback is cranked up as well, drowning out the ever present demonic vocals. The frenetic pace is at stark contrast to the doomy start..building and building, the tension is palpable. It all climaxes in a glorious cacophony of guitars, drums, screams and fuzz. When it all finishes you are left feeling breathless and yet strangely invigorated.

‘Failures’ is not an album for the faint-hearted...it is heavy, in places dissonant and always carrying the threat of subterranean evil...but it is frankly pretty ace if you like this kind of thing. With the musical heritage of the players, it’s hardly surprising that it is all accomplished with a tightness and focus that keeps it from becoming a morass of noise. Oh, and don’t play it when Great Aunt Mabel is visiting. Pre-orders for 'Failures' are up now on the Riot Season webstore and Bandcamp sites, and is available as standard vinyl and also a limited mail order only edition with a bonus 2xCDR set.