March 21, 2012

Pith - Fore

By Natalie Zina Walschots. Halifax, Nov Scotia-based extreme metal band Pith unleash four-song EP Fore. Much like "cleave," "pith" is a dual-pronged word that refers to the central, elemental part of something, particularly in a botanical context
By Natalie Zina Walschots. Originally published by Exclaim.


Halifax, Nov Scotia-based extreme metal band Pith unleash four-song EP Fore. Much like "cleave," "pith" is a dual-pronged word that refers to the central, elemental part of something, particularly in a botanical context; it is also a term that means to destroy the spinal chord. So, this band's moniker refers to something generative and life sustaining ― the marrow of a thing ― and also a type of destruction.

This paradox neatly sums up Fore, which is a very carefully crafted, vital piece that simultaneously wants to rip something apart. This tension between creative and destructive forces defines the record. The fierce drumming and bright, visceral guitar lines carry the energy of the four, four-minute songs like arterial blood. The shredding, blade-mouthed vocals and the aggressive, grinding tempo make the listener feel as though they're being chased, trapped in a nightmare of pursuit and consumption.

This would be a fine soundtrack to those dreams where you're being pursued down a narrow hallway by something with chainsaws for teeth.

2 comments:
  1. I'd be nice to have direct links in the posts as well. There's a good amount of time where the Bandcamp player doesn't load and it forces you to have to go hunting for the band's page.

    (Release slays btw, just nabbed it.)

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    Replies
    1. I'm a bit hesitant to do that, because I want people to go to the article to hear the music, instead of clicking a direct link in their rss reader.

      But I'll see what I can do.

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