October File | ‘Our Souls To You’

October File’s last EP was incendiary stuff - so much so that it immediately got album of the month on here, despite containing a mere three tracks. There was good reason for it. ‘Hallowed Be Thy Army’, with it’s stunning artwork, was so heavy it left caterpillar tracks across the floor in front of the stereo.

Like the first, this release is again draped in gob smackingly super artwork, which upon investigation comes from one Viktor Safonkin. He should be elevated to the greats immediately.

This difficult second album was always going to be a test for the band. They put so much energy into their debut, and staked so much of it on the direct influence of their idols Killing Joke, that it was always going to be hard to sustain across further material.

Luckily the directness of their approach makes up for it. As with last time round, it’s thick, chunky and bellowing metal.

Vocalist Ben Hollyer has drawn much from the style of the Joke’s Jaz Coleman, and there’s absolutely no getting away from it. But it’s the kind of sandpaper roar that has the authenticity to remain believable as his own.

‘Dredge’ is the highlight cut, with its ‘one by one we wear our suits / like a uniform’ refrain. It sums up all of the bands best traits - namely locked tight and heavy as a brick shithouse metal, with zero frills and high impact. It’s a simple assault, but a satisfying one. ‘Eau De War’ has an almost Swans-like insistence. It just doesn’t let up.

What really makes this release cool is the inclusion of a second disc. Normally, you’d see this as a sort of tack-on designed to help shift more units. This one however is a bit different: it’s the same album, but with an entirely different mix and master job by one Justin Broderick.

It sounds like he’s got the album and poured static electricity all over it. It’s dirtier, far less polished and surely more indicative of where the band came from when growing up. You can read into that liberal quantities of E.N.T. and Amebix to begin with.

To my own ear, this disc is the winner. Though decent, the first lacks the vitality and dirty energy that the filthier production brings. It’s remarkable that the same source material can yield such different results purely in its production.

In terms of criticism, it’s at times apparent that the simple attack can be a little leaden. They do need to spice it all up somehow, with something. Granted, so utilitarian is their metal that it’s hard to know what wouldn’t just sound contrived. Perhaps though a different vocal tone every so often, even some clean guitar, anything to just shift the dynamic occasionally.

For a straightforward aggro workout though, it scores.

Polemic, diatribe, this album’s full of it, and full of bile. Pertinent indeed that it’s released now in the midst of a general election - a counterbalance against its moment, challenging empty promises with tough slabs of complaint and dissatisfaction.

3.8 / 5 (for the second cd) - Earl Grey ::: 03/05/10