Old Man Gloom does a god-like job of mixing sludge Hardcore and noise into great torrents and sheet of sound. A New England Super-Group with members of Isis, Cave In, and Converge; Old Man Gloom mixed each band's style and twists it into something new. Probably one of the heaviest and most hard hitting albums to date. When the first clean chords of "Afraid Of" started I felt disappointed then it kicked in with enough power to boost a space shuttle. I was enthralled and amazed that a band could produce and record what sounded like small nuclear arms being detonated. I listened in awestruck silence and was shocked when I realized what I thought was a slight pause between phrases actually was a break between songs.

The power of these songs is impossible to deny and my speakers were undergoing such stress actually distorting. I had to turn them down for fear of blowing them. The first quibble I have with the album is: length. "Afraid Of" lasts around a minute and a half, and is followed by another blast of noise "Flood I" which lasts almost a minute. The third song however is incredible and actually song length. I was struck dumb by it's beauty I couldn't stop smiling as I listened. The song "Simian Alien Technology: Message Recieved" its first thirty seconds are white noise but soon after beautiful tones and notes start to sneak up on you. It's probably one of their best songs to date. However the whole album is soured a bit by "An Evening at the Gentlemen's Club for Apes". It's 7+ minute drone with ambient noise and indistinct conversations taking place in the background. I almost always skip it.

This album is worthy of a glance, I bought the album because the name was cool and no one had heard of them (I love obscure music by the way). However don't skip the drone tracks you must listen to the album entirely first. After the first complete spin take a second look, you might just like it more than you previously thought you did. I urge anyone who's into hardcore and grind to pick up this album. However if short songs, ambient noises, indecipherable vocals, and a Ape fetish gets on your nerves stay away at all costs. Also with the suddenness of most of the album it's not good to listen to on headphones the first time or in a car. Be warned, and maybe you'll love them.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Exercising