Big on grooves and big on atmosphere, the latest from France’s Chaos E.T. Sexual is an experience to listen to. One of those albums where you really need to take it in as a whole and not just in pieces, Only Human Crust encompasses this gorgeous merging of World music and Industrial to take listeners on a truly unique auditory journey.
“Gangsta Doom” starts us on our path and is a little bit playful and a little bit menacing before “Asile” comes in with a repeated percussive blast from Tarik adding to the ominous air. Then the dual attack of Yves’ baryton guitars and Thomas’ guitars accentuate the mood, coming off like air raid sirens for a sound that captures the experimentation of Grotus and the power of Godflesh.
“Tomorrow, Prudence” continues the eerie tones with echoes of Justin Broadrick’s post-‘Flesh work with Jesu for a monolithic shoegaze masterpiece. “Tumulte” lurches along, building to a deafening and defining crescendo and is almost nine minutes of sonic perfection while “La Française Des Jeunes” starts off as a party then descends into this macabre interlude.
Deliving in further, “Eldorado” is a quirky oddity within the grand scope of Only Human Crust but works as it melts into the texture of the rest of the record with Thomas’ guitar tones followed by the soothing soundscape which, par for course here, turns into a sprawling epic among this heady collection of sprawling epics.
“Only Human Crust” is a little more hopeful with guitar tones that soar amidst Tarik’s labyrinth of percussion keeping listeners on edge and eventually concluding with a massive showdown between baryton, guitar, and drums for a stunning finale on a stunning record that’s easily a highlight of 2020.
Only Human Crust arrives on November 20th through Chien Noir. You can pre-order your copy now by clicking here. For more on Chaos E.T. Sexual, follow the trail of socials by heading here or here.