http://paganhelreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/phalangst-black-country-5-track-album.html
http://crimsonmoonzine.com/phal_angst_review
Searching for a meaning behind the word Phalangst – the nearest I got was for the word phalanx “A large group of people standing very close to each other, usually for the purposes of defense or attack!” but it sums this band up very well!
Hardwire
I can’t say I am over enamoured with this track, although the female voice is in tune and haunting, but the ‘na neee’s’ tend to grate a little and have an air of hostility about them. Saying that further on in the track the tempo changes and it becomes a serious and melodious masterpiece! The keyboards and guitar compliments each other giving off rich tones of vibrancy and it is now my favourite track, and what’s more I am glad it is a long track as there is more to savour!
Black Country
A rather strange and eerie feeling is captured on this slow and deliberate composition. It is mournful and doom-like with various unusual sounds amid a monotone vocal edge that drifts characteristically over a long period of time. Exhibiting an intense and morbid feeling and yet it still contains good melodies.
The old has to die and the new must be born
A lot darker, this one is bass-ridden with an array of growls and high pitched singing. It still takes a leisurely pace although it possesses the markings of having an evil presence attached to it. The listener will have this mental awareness of uneasiness as the track builds to its plodding and creepy conclusion.
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“The more you listen the deeper you go with this as it takes hold. It retains moments that are captivating and engaging and in other places it repels, but on the whole it is without a doubt a very unusual and interesting listen!”
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Black Milk of Morning
Holds plenty of atmospheric urges as its complicated mastery takes hold. Winding, again slowly taking its time to stamp the brain with an unusual flavour. The vocals are sung in a flat and monotone dreariness – but it works amid the array of electronic accompaniment that brings oneness to the track.
Theta
Possesses a dense glacial and cold purpose which embeds itself in the gloomy landscape. It sluggishly and heavy rhythms entrap the mind while the vocals are gnarly and jagged. The whole tone of the track is injected with a listless grazing, but it does grow on you and the children’s voices at the end along with the German voice makes it somewhat a very interesting track.
Summary:
I would have liked to have heard a bit more diversity which could easily be achieved on this short album. The use of electronics could be pepped up a notch to have incorporated at least a couple of more upbeat tempos rather than all doom, but it is an unusual album that all being said.
The first track once past the haunting lilts that rub me up the wrong way, there comes a spine-tingling moment when everything changes and it can only be described as black and white turning to colour, as a myriad of sampled voices and powerful rhythms hit. It bubbles with undulating force and really comes into its own.
The more you listen the deeper you go with this as it takes hold. It retains moments that are captivating and engaging and in other places it repels, but on the whole it is without a doubt a very unusual and interesting listen.
8½/10
