Hundred Year Old Man – Breaching (Review)

Hundred Year Old Man are a post-metal/sludge band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Breaching contains almost 60 minutes of affecting, emotive material. With a post-metal approach to intensity the band wield their various influences to produce atmospheric sludge metal that’s a monolithic and immersive listening experience.

Hundred Year Old Man’s music combines post-metal’s build/release mechanic with an intense wall of sound delivery that’s devastatingly effective. Drone and ambient elements are included, with synths and electronics playing a notable part in the band’s sound. This aspect of the band’s music is skilfully weaved into the tapestry of the album, enhancing the songs and adding extra layers and depth.

Breaching is a long album that gradually unfurls with a confident manner. The band don’t rush what they’re doing, and they allow the music to guide the listener on a journey into emotive darkness, trusting in the process that they have laid down to get the job done.

There’s a post-hardcore feel to this in places too, which manifests not only in the music but in the harsh screams of the band’s singer. I’ve mainly talked about the music’s atmospheric and slowly-building qualities so far, but there is an aggressive streak to the band’s delivery too. This is ultimately a metal band, after all. There are some huge riffs on these songs, and they know how to flatten both emotionally and physically. The band’s singer is like a focal point for all of the inherent barely-constrained rage that the band channel. His screaming invective works well with the music, largely fusing with it while also sometimes detaching and coming apart from it, as the singer allows himself to fall into something almost feral and unrestrained.

Quality stuff, but then Hundred Year Old Man clearly know what they’re doing with this kind of sludgy post-metal. I strongly suggest that you turn out the lights, turn up the volume, and expose yourself to Breaching. You won’t regret it.