EP REVIEW: AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED- ARC

Agoraphobic Nosebleed- Arc
FFO- Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Grindcore

Massachusetts's Agoraphobic Nosebleed has been long known as one of the most legendary studio Grindcore bands to ever exist. Not only has the band broke out of the mold of just being a studio band with playing select festival shows (starting with 2015's Maryland Deathfest) but the band is doing a fantastic in 2016 with release 4 separate EPs. One EP for every member of the band's personal influences. As having the tremendous honor of working with Relapse Records, I have the honor to be able to review all 4 EPs this year. This 3 song EP is all inspired by vocalist, Kat Katz (Katherine Katz)'s love of Doom Metal and Sludge Metal.

Arc starts with the 7 minute Southern Sludge Metal tribute, Not A Daughter. The song is pure, unadulterated worship of bands like Crowbar, Eyehategod, and Acid Bath.  The fastest paced song on the album (which is still about 5% speed of the usual Agoraphobic Nosebleed song, haha) is a great, groovy sludgefest where Katz take all of her aggressions out on the world. Deathbed starts off with a lone bass drum before one of the heaviest doom riffs comes out and decimates anyone listening. By far the slowest, heaviest, and most brooding song on the album, this song gives worship to the Doom Gods that came before this and they are pleased. A little over half way through the song, the song picks up just a tad to give more of the Southern Style Sludge that would make anyone from Crowbar to The Sword smile, before kicking back in to the doom to close out the track. The EP closes with the almost 12 minute epic, Gnaw. The song combines a bit more of an uptempo feel like Not A Daughter, but keeps the doom of Deathbed. The middle section of the song has more atmospheric, and feedback vibes before kicking into the most crushing riff of the entire EP. The song and EP ends with some distorted feedback that grows faster and faster and faster and, abruptly, ends.


Overall, Arc is meant for those who love Sludge and Doom or can appreciate the band showing love for their inspirations. It's definitely not for the faint of heart. It's soul crushingly heavy, sludgy, doomy, and pure Agoraphobic Nosebleed. If you want the faster sides of the band you'll have to wait for the other 3 EPs in the series to come out later this year to see what they have up their sleeve. Till then, kick back, turn off the lights, light some black candles, put on your Saint Vitus shirt and sunglasses, tell your significant other to leave for 27 minutes and 13 seconds, and ENJOY!

- 4/5

Agoraphobic Nosebleed- Arc available NOW via Relapse Records