Review: Mellowdeath ‘Mellowdeath’
Mellowdeath are a Berlin-based band who are incredibly innovative. For the past several years, they have been forging new and interesting paths in the experimental, jazz, post-rock, surf and avant-garde genres, but adding a darkness that is constantly appealing. The group consists of two main members, Sara Niedorf (who used to play in Brian Jonestown Massacre and is a member of Sarattma & Hypnodrone Ensemble), and Isabel Merten (from No Chronicles). Saraplays drums while Isabelplays bass. The two are one outstanding duo.
They have just released a full-length self-titled album and have included quite remarkable guest musicians (such as Matt Hollenburg, who has worked with John Zorn) to complement their extraordinary sound. Other instruments you’ll hear include guitar, trombone, cello, synths, and theremin. This album is definitely a must-hear. It’s a masterful instrumental work that takes its listeners on a journey through a plethora of varied and interesting genres.
The first song Demon Slither is a fantastic number introducing us to the haunting world that is Mellowdeath. It begins with drums, guitar and bass provoking a doomy Middle Eastern vibe which eventually includes trombone work. It’s a very appealing, trippy and dark introduction to the album. Images of a mystical, demonic procession of ghouls slithering along can be brought to mind upon listening here. It’s definitely one wildly fantastical experimental song.
Our next aural experience is Omacore, in which we are blessed with another dark number that is quite different from the first. We hear reverbed guitar, synth work and drums that would fit perfectly onto the soundtrack of a satanic ‘60s or ‘70s horror flick. Our journey into beautifully bleak and the trippy cinematic horror leads us into our next track Krankenstation. Here we enter into the realm of incredible doom-jazz. The song is a strikingly tasteful with the band being quite innovative in their work. The sound is somewhat like that of bands such as Kilter, Heroin and Your Veins or the Dale Cooper Quartet in all of its very stylish appeal.
a fantastic mix of jazz, experimental, surf, post-rock, and avant-garde with a dark, doomy, haunting edge…
Now venturing on, we are gifted with the track 1772 that’s a creative take on post-rock. The ensemble is definitely able to push the boundaries of what is being created as they bring doom into the mix. Imagine if Blonde Redhead or the band Tortoise went to the dark side of music. Mellowdeath are seamlessly able to bring the bleakness to genres where it is so desperately lacking.
Up next is the song Atemlos. It’s a twisted form of doom jazz and post-rock that could be comparable to Shellac if they went doom and then melded this with some of John Zorn’s Naked City. With its conclusion, we move on to Verfolgungsjagd. Definite stoner doom vibes in a kind of Electric Wizard style, but with a pleasant doom-surf-twang added to the sound, which makes it extremely interesting. Following this, we have Metal Country. Think of a minimalist version of Mr. Bungle’s weirder output, and you’re getting the idea.
As we’re approaching the end of the record, second to last, we have the Verhallt. Here we get a glimpse into a rarely heard doom-twang with dark surf vibes. It’s a wonderful song that would make a perfect addition to anyone’s late-night driving playlist. The sound is kind of like Bohren and Der Club of Gore adding twang to their sound.
The finale to this incredible audio journey is Trotziges, which consists of spooky, doomy surf. It is definitely like a minimalist blending of Man or Astro-man? and Naked City. A gorgeously bizarre ending to an album that is a rad portrait of experimentation in a hefty variety of appealing soundscapes.
Mellowdeath‘s new self-titled record is definitely worth repeated listens. It’s a fantastic mix of jazz, experimental, surf, post-rock, and avant-garde with a dark, doomy, haunting edge, making for a whole new experience. It’s definitely one of those releases in which there will be nothing else like it available for quite some time. It’s a splendid, rare gem for sure!
Label: Independent
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Maxwell Seeman
