Ghastly, foul and depraved are all very good words to describe this second album from US band Encoffination. I was pretty much sickened by the fetid atmosphere conveyed by its predecessor, 2010 album ‘Ritual Ascension Beyond Flesh’ but the follow up which landed at the tail end of 2011 has if anything delivered an even more putrid atmosphere. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that Ghoat, one half of the duo has taken his day job to heart to help out with the concept and narrative flow of the album; yep he works in the funeral industry so has no doubt got to grip with all facets and faces of death. Along with partner in ghoulishness, drummer Elekrokutioner, apparently the pair of them recorded their tracks individually and in total solitude, providing the necessary ambience. The album layout should also be mentioned. The cover art utilizes ‘Finis Gloriae Mundi’ 17th century painting by Juan De Valdes Leal and it is completely nightmarish. The layout is also very striking and is laid out like a church service card (or whatever they call them, sorry no point asking this godless heathen). All in all the art matches the music admirably.
So what does the music sound like then? In a word hell! ‘Sacrum Profanum Processionali’ has the sound of a needle dropping onto vinyl (making it seem all the more ancient) and the trappings of religiosity such as Latin chants and tolling bands, which in the hands of other bands may well come across as cheesy. Not here though as after an austere sample first track proper ‘Rites Of Ceremonial Embalmment’ oozes out the speakers in all its festering glory. This is slow limbering funereal doom filled with low end sludge laden, cataclysmic rhythms and low growling wretched vocals. It aint pleasant in the slightest and it is somewhat torturous to listen to as well as completely unnerving. This of course is a good thing; sometimes music that is a challenge to listen to is all too necessary and that is exactly what this is. ‘Ritual Until Blood’ sees a tightening of the strings as guitars churn away and the pace picks up becoming that bit more urgent. Vocals sound like they are gurgling the claret as this unholy sermon unfolds in a blasphemous festering miasma of low end tones and drones.
Sounds such as the tolling bells and the crackle of needle on vinyl crop up again, as this ruinous feast continuous. The music carries on lurching and crawling away over the course of around 40 minutes, thankfully not quite too lengthy to completely kill off the listener but admittedly coming kind of close. There are occasional surges of speed but things are quick to settle down into a rotting groove again. I found the strongest track here ‘Crypt Of His Communal Devourment’ simply because there is a sense of melody on it and the guitar on it feels as though it has some sort of structure that allows it to stick in your head.
So if you are looking for the sort of band that puts the fun into funeral you wont find it here. If however you are looking for sickening music that chills to the bone and stinks of decay, come right in and shut the crypt door behind you!
http://www.facebook.com/templeofencoffinment
Pete Woods
MTUK HOME
