Genre: Neofolk / Martial Ambient

As All Die have returned to the martial ambient music arena with a new report from the forsaken battlefield titled “Guns, Grenades and Genocide” published by the independent Italian label Blade Records. “Guns, Grenades and Genocide” sees Clint and Aries continuing their inquiry into the savage times of war through ambient, orchestral, and noise music. Clint and Aries have steered As All Die ever deeper into the grim reality of human conflict as they navigate through the remembrance, agony, violence, loss, and glory of war.

“Guns, Grenades and Genocide” begins track one titled “The Beginning.” The song starts with a mellow recital of dark orchestral music. Synthesized organ music pushes alongside waves of minimal dark ambience as the music hesitantly ponders the silent moments of reflection each man faces before taking to the battlefield. The music inspires visions of the battlefield quieted by the act of men praying alone in silence. Images of young soldiers grasping pictures of loved ones in one hand while drinking from a flask in the other float through the mind’s eye. The music steadily plays like a cold wind flickering across endless camp fires. The resignation of the soon to be fallen can be heard through the music as the song labors forward. The notes are few and cyclic as the music refrains from epic exhalations. “The Beginning” expertly communicates the sober reality of men who know that soon they will charge forth to battle ending the lives of their enemies and possibly lose their own lives.

Half way through “Guns, Grenades and Genocide” the music transforms from dark ambient meditations to noise infested storms of sound. Track five titled “Systematic Destruction of Hoth” sees As All Die abandon electronic orchestration in favor of guitar driven savagery. “Systematic Destruction of Hoth” begins with guttural guitars that play with a generous dose of feedback. Single chords rend and rip their way through swirling tunnels of sound while feedback growls and hisses like a tormented and caged animal. Though the assault is more aggressive than earlier songs As All Die does an excellent job of keeping the attention of the listner and keeping the noise manageable. The feedback and guitars are layered allowing for depth and expansion within the music. The music communicates an impending feeling of destruction as if capturing the chaos of men fighting hand to hand amidst flying bullets and exploding shrapnel. “Systematic Destruction of Hoth” combines psychological elements of confusion and chaos with the intent to destroy. This blending of focus and anarchy bears forth an insightful musical portrayal of war.

The fifth and final song on “Guns, Grenades and Genocide” is titled “Genocide.” “Genocide” ends the album on a nihilistic note that is befitting the songs title. “Genocide” captures the systematic destruction of humanity and the abandonment of compassion and understanding that war demands of its participants. The song begins with a gently building wall of noise that crashes over the listner like the drone of a swarm of WWII bomber planes. The dense wall of sound is accented by the sound of a commander shouting orders to troops and the firing of heavy artillery. Soon the sounds of war are locked in a deadly battle with industrial noise as explosions, whining shells, and gunfire tangle with hissing noise and industrial drones. The musical mix is caustic and unforgiving as it buries the listener under a pile of rubble and blood. There is no respite as As All Die unleashes the final genocidal attack. At loud volumes you feel the ground shake beneath your feet, the jerking motion of the machine gun, and whining bullets whizzing by your head. Deeply imbedded and distorted vocals emerge and disperse randomly adding a slightly psychedelic quality to the music. Though the song is just over six minutes long it will leave you feeling lucky that you remain standing as opposed to meeting the fate of one of the fallen. If you are prone to flashbacks or shellshock tread lightly here.

As All Die continues to evolve with each album proving that they are force to be reckoned with in the martial music arena. “Guns, Grenades and Genocide” demonstrates the bands ability to break away from their neofolk roots and expand the depth and range of their martial ambient explorations. The new addition of dissonant elements in the music in the form of industrial noise elements and guitar feedback illustrates the bands persistence on delivering original and provocative music. Fans of martial music who have yet to discover As All Die should take this opportunity and send out a search party to secure a copy “Guns, Grenades and Genocide.” Established As All Die fans will find themselves easily embracing this new chapter in the bands music as Clint and Aries head ever deeper into the heart of darkness.