Thursday, January 5, 2012

Best of 2011 (albums) CRAFT - Void (Southern Lord)

This masterwork of misanthropy almost was not. Craft nearly called it quits following the annihilation fest of 2005's "Fuck The Universe," but thankfully did not. Instead they replaced their original drummer, regrouped and spent a few years putting together "Void," their most challenging and "mature" (in a good way, I promise) album to date. Certainly the band's classic black metal roots underlie everything on the album, but they also continue to incorporate a great deal of experimentation, albeit experimentation dripping with filth and grime.

The band shifts comfortably between incredibly textured pieces like "The Ground Surrenders," stripped down tracks like the brutal "I Want To Commit Murder," and about everything in-between. It's sort of amazing how diverse this record is without ever losing its grim edge. Every time I have put this on, I've found something new to love. There are a lot of dark treasures to unpack here, making it one of the more rewarding records of the year.

"The Ground Surrenders"

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