One more long-awaited gem recently seeing the light of day via Deathwish Inc. is "This Sheltering Night", the latest from another of my all-time favorite bands, Starkweather. It's been about four years since the release of "Croatoan", and these recordings have actually been finished for about two years (half of them have roots in the "Croatoan" sessions), but as is all too often the case various setbacks and delays hampered the final release date. The presence of only six new Starkweather tracks may create the impression that this is an EP, but be not misled, as all but one of these compositions top seven minutes, so Starkweather's material alone surpasses the 45-minute mark. Furthermore, the CD also includes ambient experimental noise interludes from Sophia Perennis and Oktopus, making for more than an hour of music when all is said and done.
Somewhat comparable to what I cited was going on with Integrity's latest full-length, this material sees Starkweather putting forth consistently longer songs that are significantly more involved than much of the band's past work. Whereas the vocals may have been the initial "stumbling block" for some listeners during the band's early years, the songs of "This Sheltering Night" often build from core riffs with layer upon layer upon layer of gnashing chords/textures; an even wider vocal range of screams, snarls, and croons; wildly blistering solos provided by "auxiliary" contributor Bill Molchanow; Forbes Graham doing some trumpet and euphonium work (which, when recognizable at all, is still rather abstract); and other assorted effects that often result in a swirling cacophony of sound that takes some time to wrap your head around. Even "Bustuari", one of the tracks started during the "Croatoan" sessions and bears the most immediate resemblance to that material, starts to bend in a different direction when these additional layers are piled on and peeled away.
All the staples of the Starkweather sound are still present: Rennie's insane and inimitable vocal delivery (obviously); Harry's absolutely amazing, freeform drumming style (and I'm actually starting to notice that his brother Vince often takes a similar approach with his bass runs, which is just awesome); unexpected clean passages or surging melodies; etc. It's just generally more twisted and fucked up now! Is that a good thing? I don't think the answer to that question matters. In many ways I think that Starkweather fans have to possess a certain reverence for what the band creates, and if that means being a listener requires some actual effort, well... that makes sense. This is a band that's been doing whatever the fuck they want to do in their own little world for more than 20 years now—whether anyone knew about it or not. They don't care about any of the petty, extraneous bullshit that most bands concern themselves with. This is it. And that's why we love 'em...
Starkweather "One Among Vermin" (excerpt)
Rust washed skies embittered and enraged. Sweltering heat just out of reach on the boundaries. Unmistaken the keening wail of machinery. Craving collapse again...
Purchase:
Deathwish Inc. (CD)
Deathwish Inc. (LP)
Amazon.com (mp3)
eMusic (mp3)
iTunes (mp3)
Comments
FUCK YES. I acquired the taste for Starkweather through this site. It literally took me years. Couldn’t get it for the longest time. Then some switch flipped, and I couldn’t get enough of the stuff. One of the weirdest, bravest, and best bands out there. And this record proves it once again.
7.16.2010 | By Invisible Oranges
Fastest comment ever! Ha, ha…
7.16.2010 | By Andrew Aversionline
When I was entering the site I’ve got the filling that today I will review of Starkweather. :) There is much more than music. It’s the filling, the vibe, the energy. Music which makes you aggressive, lost and calm in the same moment if this makes any sense.
My favorite tracks are 5th and 6th (All Creatures Damned and Divine and One Among Vermin, I think. The Mediaplayer doesn’t show me the song names and there are written by artist on the cover (because of interesting parts from Sophia Perennis and Oktopus between songs.)
One Among Vermin it’s one of my favorite SW songs with that chilling parts.
Simply work of art!
7.16.2010 | By Carlos
And this is one of the rares albums I’ve bought all formats except MP3 which I don’t buy, so… :)
7.16.2010 | By Carlos
Since this album was released I have had numerous conversations about it with fellow Starkweather fans and I think that alone says something. I think it is one of their best efforts even if the bulk of it comes from the Croatoan sessions. It stands apart because of the layering and soundscapes used. I beg anyone, previously Starkweather fans or not, to give this album the chance it deserves. While haunting, powerful and crushing in parts it still needs to be actively listened to as it is complex. I know fans who will immediaely accept the album just because it is Starkweather and I have talked to other fans who have immediately dismissed it just as quickly as it seems to come from a different realm. I truly dare anyone who likes this type of music to listen to this album five times and not at least appreciate what was done here.
7.16.2010 | By Chris138
Let’s be honest here, no one comes close, it’s not even remotely core anymore, one of the strangest & most jarring releases deathwish will EVER host.
This is next level shit, they’ve been listening to lots of ved buens ende & virus.
7.16.2010 | By Jack
Chris138, well said, but I would absolutely encourage people who are unfamiliar with Starkweather not to judge the band as a whole based on this release. As Invisible Oranges cited above, it’s very common to take some time to fully appreciate this band as it is, but the overall peculiarity/layered approach here requires that much more time to sort out. Anyone listening to “This Sheltering Night” as their first exposure to Starkweather might be better served to start from the beginning of their discography. While far from straightforward, “Crossbearer” and “Into the Wire” are “direct” enough to where the feeling/emotion of the material can have a more immediate impact. They’re just such an incredible band, I’d hate for anyone to miss out on their back catalog if they’re initially scared off by the complete beast of this album!
7.16.2010 | By Andrew Aversionline
That last bit of your review kind of explains why we love aversionline too. No petty bullshit. Following your own way. That’s a big reason why this site and bands like Starkweather are so important in my daily escapes from Hell On Earth. LOVE this fucking band to the death.
7.16.2010 | By Marcus Garvey
The music is great and his screams are awesome, but (unfortunately) once he starts singing, I loose all interest. He reminds me of the singer for ‘Creed’ and I can’t get past that… Maybe I need to give it a few more listens…
7.16.2010 | By Name
in ‘93 i spent countless nights listening to my “crossbearer” lp. they were as unique then as they are now, although i do prefer their old material… i’m not talking down on “this sheltering night”, but i was kind of hoping for a progression more along the lines of “wilding”.
7.17.2010 | By Andy
@ name So don’t listen, & don’t dare compare Rennie to creed.
7.17.2010 | By Jack
“Marcus”, many thanks for the kind words, I REALLY appreciate it.
And “Name”: Congratulations on posting the most outlandishly offensive comment in this site’s history. Creed!? Really?
7.17.2010 | By Andrew Aversionline
listening to this feels like spiralling down into some unnamed blackness . truly one of the darkest albums i’ve ever heard.
7.18.2010 | By m
That’s more like it, M. keep it coming.
7.18.2010 | By Jack
One of the most amazing and diverse holy Terror bands ever. Also thier split with 12’ with Overmars is quite amazing.
7.4.2012 | By Khalil Boulos