Barishi: Endless Howl

It seems like a good percentage of my reviews begin with some discussion of any given band's version of extreme music. This will be no exception. See, the guys in Barishi create music that takes progressive elements and mixes them with something much more weird, intense, and fascinating. What do we call this blend of styles? Well, the band's Facebook page calls it "Gritty Progresive Metal / Bung." As for the word "bung," I don't know about that. I typically save that term for discussions of Beavis's alter-ego Cornholio and his obsession with his bunghole. Remember that?

Beavis and Butthead are probably an old enough reference that it wouldn't matter whether or not I continued thinking about them here. I would like to add, however, that Barishi is not likely to be a band the boys would dismiss out of hand. The music here resists the easy commercialism and the clich�s of a band eager to make a quick buck. Instead, the music challenges the listener with alternating moods and eclectic musical elements. Though my terms here are vague�and deliberately so�the music here might be said to constantly move and twist, always seeing what else it can do. Even more interesting is the regular presence of musical components we label with the term "progressive." Check out the title track, one of this EP's best songs, for the way it gleefully indulges in some pretty showy guitar passages. Not only was it nice to hear some shredding on this track, it was even better to hear it in a song that relentlessly challenged notions of traditional commitments to technique and proficiency. My point is that the music knowingly embraces and challenges convention and does so effectively. Check out "In the Hour of the Wolf" and "Smoke from the Earth" as well. Actually, just check out the whole thing. There's eighteen minutes of music here�and it's all solid.

Track Listing:
1. In the Hour of the Wolf
2. Smoke from the Earth
3. Endless Howl
4. Snakeboat

Added: March 24th 2015
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1904
Language: english

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