ALBUM REVIEW: Nest - "Metempsychosis"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 03/03/2018

Label: Independent

The thick distortion-encrusted tones are riddled with a nasty evil buzz that brings to mind a union of Unearthly Trance and Unsane that sometimes veers into psychedelic realms worthy of Yob. “Metempsychosis” is an awesome offering from Nest that demonstrates their startling power and a terrifying amount of potential for the future.

“Metempsychosis” DD track listing:

1. - (00:31)
2. The Cowardice And Rashness Of Courage (03:52)
3. Gallows Of Forever (03:16)
4. Heretic (02:38)
5. Divining By The Entrails Of Sheep (05:06)
6. Jewel Of Iniquity (03:59)
7. From The Darkness In Me, Illuminate (04:09)
8. Life's Grief (09:50)
9. - (00:27)

The Review:

2018 is still only a few weeks old but Nest are already making a strong play for end of year lists with new LP “Metempsychosis”. The Kentucky duo make a huge spaced-out sludge racket delivered with an aggressive noise rock attitude that really hits hard here.

Although there are many two pieces throughout the heavy underground that create a massive sound from minimal resources, Nestmanage to construct a particularly impressive wall of noise from a single guitar, drums and vocals. I don’t know what set-up Kyle Keener is running his guitar through but it makes the crushing riffs that open up the likes of “The Cowardice And The Rashness Of Courage” and “Jewel oF Iniquity” register high on the Richter scale. The thick distortion-encrusted tones are riddled with a nasty evil buzz that brings to mind a union of Unearthly Tranceand Unsane that sometimes veers into psychedelic realms worthy of Yob.

“From The Darkness In Me, Illuminate” is a mini-epic that covers the full width of Nest’s sonic spectrum in four minutes. Pummelling blast beats and lumbering doom riffs emerge from a cloud of menacing noise that brings an air of black metal mystery to the track. The second half of the track shows that the band are equally as captivating when they dial back the distortion to craft a hypnotic passage from minimal guitar picking and distant violin. This works as suitable preparation for the monstrous finale of “Life’s Grief”. Nest take everything that has come before and blow it up on a grand scale. Huge reverb-laden melodies pave the way for one final punishing riff that can only be silenced by a rising tide of harsh static and sonic manipulations.

“Metempsychosis”is an awesome offering from Nest that demonstrates their startling power and a terrifying amount of potential for the future.

“Metempsychosis”is available to preorder here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook