The prolific Jesu releases another winner, this time a split EP with the heavy-hitting Battle of Mice. The two songs found here are gorgeous explorations of sonic noise and melancholy; "Clear Stream" is laden with vocodered vocals hidden underneath those wonderful cathedrals of sound that Jesu is known for, while "Falling From Grace" is a gorgeous yet sad almost-instrumental.
What Jesu lacks in aggression, Battle of Mice supplies. Led by the wonderful little-girl-like voice of Julie Christmas, Battle of Mice is a new kind of metal. "The Bishop" finds Christmas singing in a dark, threatening forest; her yelp reminds me a bit of Kat Bjelland, and within the powerful band behind her, the song is utterly creepy and disturbing. In a good way, of course. "Yellow and Black" is a dirge, leaden with hard guitars, lots of screaming, and a hazy atmosphere that makes listener feel a bit punch-drunk.
In a good way, of course.
Listen To: "The Bishop"
The Jesu/Battle of Mice split EP is out now on Robotic Empire RecordsLabels: Battle of Mice, Jesu, Robotic Empire Records |
