ALBUM REVIEW: Who Loves The Sun – Chat Pile
On Who Loves the Sun, Oklahoma Sludge-metal aficionados CHAT PILE dive neck deep into a realm of existential dread in a tantalisingly goosebump-inducing album.
Fresh off their momentous set at ArcTanGent this summer, their third offering proves why they’re one of the most compelling sonic entities on the scene today. The beauty in this album is it strays effortlessly into a multitude of genres. Whilst the narrative drains you, the sounds and landscapes the band carve into the grooves of the record ooze with menace and prowess.
Take haunting track Same Rules. The gothic tones lurk like a hunched back ghoul walking the ruins of an ancient town house. At a stretch, it reminds you of the more deep and brooding works of DEPECHE MODE and a more morbid vision of THE CURE. But when the earthquaking riffs stifle the peace of the track, it robs you of the suave composure of a post-punk track and throws you head first back into the familiarity of chaos and pandemonium.
Or you can take Intruder with ear piercing quirky riffs similar to that of ArcTanGent alumni PRIMUS. The whole of this song feels more grungier than the rest whilst remaining deep in the trenches of depth and woe. All the while cathartic PEN I S MALL clatters into the raucous energy to appease the head bangers and moshers. But if you’re going to break your neck, take a moment to lap up the gritty and harrowing reflection of capitalist exploitation the band offers as a morbid entree.
But the absolute album highlight has to be penultimate song Family Funeral. Sonically it leans heavily into the realm of noise rock which the band are all too experienced within. But the lyrics courtesy of Raygun Busch displays some of the most chaotic, emotional and tragically poetic writing at his disposal. A tale of anger, jealousy and the dangers of blinding revenge, it’s a disturbing take on the fragility of a broken man’s mind.
With a third album comes the expectation of consistent quality. There’s no argument that each riff or doom ridden vocal is as visceral and poignant as the last. But maybe the most compelling aspect of this effort is the production as it is such an anxiety inducing record. With your headphones to your ear the landscape effortlessly surrounds you and breathes down your neck. Like the twitching of an eye or a sudden heart palpitation, it sinks into your bones and lingers in your conscience much longer than you would care for.
Whilst it’s an album that solidifies CHAT PILE as the leading sludge band of this generation please be warned. Who Loves the Sun is grueling, heavy both in sound and narrative and shows just how deep the band are willing to dive.
Rating: 8/10
Who Loves The Sun is out now via The Flenser.
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