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Band: Thot
Album: The Fall Of The Water Towers [EP]
Release date: 25 September 2012
Label: White Leaves Music
Tracklisting:
01. Endless Towers
02. Finally, I've Found One
03. Grueenn (ft. Colin H van Eeckhout)
04. Black Fire Swan
05. White Dusty Fur
06. The Parade Of The Trees
Last year this Belgium based band Thot surprised us with an amazing album Obscured By The Wind. This was one of the most mind blowing post-rock releases I ever heard, with tons of additions from other genres like industrial, noise, electronics, psychedelia and more. They are describing their twist of sounds as vegetal noise and if they are all right with this label then I'm o.k., although I don't really understand this definition. But, now let's leave that album aside as this new six songs long EP brings one completely new side of Thot, here are no in your face thrown rocking guitars, no agressive riffs and almost no vocals. Yes, psychedelic electronica remains.
Those sounds present on The Fall Of Water Towers were actually done during the sessions for Obscured By The Wind and not used there, now redesigned, given form and life. Present release brings in front more sensual, calm, depressive or in one word atmospheric sound. This EP contains thousands of sounds, from myriads of electronic samples, classical music, piano, strings (beautifuly performed and arranged by Catherine Graindorge), acoustic guitars, etc., which are blended so well together that are giving to the listener one amazing sonic journey. Vocals are almost absent here, except in the atmospheric and calm song "Grueenn" which features vocal performance from guest Colin H Van Eeckhout from another Belgium sludge/doom act Amenra. Piano sounds and acoustic guitars in "Black Fire Swan", with gloomy electronic sounds in the background are giving some shivers down your spine when everything explodes into one mass of apocalyptic sound. There's a lot of play between before mentioned instruments in most of the songs. Dark ambiances and post-industrial sounds blended with fading out guitar line in "The Parade Of The Trees" is astonishing, psychedelic, cold experience. "Finally, I've Found One" is masterfully done dark ambient song, it's a shame that is so short, as it has nothing to hide before masters of this genre. Anyway, each of tracks up here has a lot to discover in it, but you must release yourself to those sounds. There is a post-rock vibration present, but only as a structure. Arrangements have a lot of connections with neoclassical music. Production is fantastic, no mistakes, it's clean, so you can fully enjoy and appreciate each tiny sound on The Fall Of The Water Towers.
If you enjoy complex atmospheric sounds and you like dark ambiances, now with a hint of psychedelia and post-rock than Thot on this release may give you something unforgettable. This is very talented group (this release was almost completely done by their mastermind Grégoire Fray), that knows how to manipulate with each instrument and our feelings. Why not discover this piece of unique art on their Bandcamp page as it's available as "name your price" digital release. "Our dreams, still blend into one and the light will let you."
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 9/10
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