Genre: Shoegaze / Black Metal / Dub

Track Listing:

01 Seeping and Arising
02 Sky Pox
03 Face of Entrails

Chuch is a somewhat elusive band from Wales. An online search won’t find much on the band or its history. That “Facelessness” is their newest album, and that they are heavy on talent we can concur. This trio from Wales electronically dips into noise, ambient and bits of heavy reverb. With only a three-song sampler to base an opinion on, they proceed to show more cleverness and ability than some bands do on a whole album.

“Seeping and Arising” starts off the cd. It includes a chasm of growling and groaning sounds. Guitars and keyboards are united for a dense ambient harmony overlapping with disturbing and dissonant effects. It makes for a murky, grimy, and unique experience. “Sky Pox” is reverberated guitar looped into a psychedelic adventure. Layers of the same passage are assembled into a mind-expanding and rapturous chorus. This slowly fades into a tumult of animal and bird noises. “Face of Entrails” is the absolute highlight here. Humming and buzzing sounds are combined against a throbbing dance beat. Pitches are turned inside out, giving a swirling and pulsating impression. It is infectious and massive. Just try to sit still while this is playing; yes it’s that epic.

Without so much information to go by, we can only ascertain by what we hear. That Chuch has ability in the previously mentioned genre’s of ambient, electronic, and noise is easily seen and heard. With time and more releases we will see what other abilities they have. With each track we see a different side to the band. When we think we have figured out their stance, they change, leaving us a bit confused, but entertained and surprised too. The title may be “Facelessness” but their music is not. We experience sound undulating, perceptions expanding, and a free for all joyous performance.