Barús – Fanges

The two tracks are massive worlds within themselves, but also show two sides of the band. “Fanges” relies on overdubs and layers upon layers of sound to overwhelm the listener, achieving a larger-than-life presence that’s more atmospheric and sludge-leaning, while ” Châssis de Chair,” recorded live in the rehearsal space, immediately launches into violent riffs and bombastic blast beats. Both tracks include plenty of riffs, to be sure, but “Fanges” swathes them in shades of anxious noise, preferring to build tension through a shifting soundscape. “Châssis de Chair” has a more singular focus, showing a similar aptitude for creating pressure that draws from off-kilter grooves and powerful vocals as often as gnarled and intricate motifs. The band’s control over cadence and selectively-applied devastation continuously escalates each song, only reluctantly relaxing as the song draws to a close. As the EP ends, with rumbling chords and clattering fills to match, there’s no comfortable or logical resolution—just a sense that what’s done is done, and there’s no going back. – Invisible Oranges