Crowhurst are from the US, and are an extremely prolific band with lots of noise/experimental/etc. releases. Their self titled album from 2015 was especially of interest, as it was essentially a pure black metal album, and a very good one at that.
Fast forward a year, and they have now released II. This continues the black metal theme started by their previously mentioned album, only this time with a wider scope and with industrial/sludge aspects, as well as contributions from members of Ævangelist and Caïna.
II goes more down the post-black metal route, with the songs having a coldly expansive feeling to them. Crowhurst take the apocalyptic intensity of bands like Converge and Neurosis and smother it with some Blut Aus Nord/Axis of Perdition-styled industrial darkness, all layered with a black metal coating. Raw and depressive black metal themes can be heard in parts of the recording, as well as nods towards the avant-garde.
The songs on this release take the multitude of these influences and crushes them together, fusing them into something new that’s as hard as diamond. It’s atmospheric in a claustrophobic way, with rare breathing spaces popping up now and again like imperfections in the dark auras that are fostered.
The singer’s throat-shredding high-pitched screams make a welcome return, although on II they’re also added to by other vocalisations at various parts. Murky, pseudo-80s cleans make appearances on some tracks too, and I must confess that these are a particular favourite of mine.
II is an impressive listen. Crowhurst have expanded upon their initial promise and delivered a well-rounded release that offers different shades of black for each song on here.
Are you into challenging and interesting music? Of course you are, that’s why you’ll seek this out.
Wonderbox Metal 
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