Agoraphobic Nosebleed
Arc (EP)
Release Date: 22 January 2016
Relapse Records
Review by Matt Bolton
Generally known as a grindcore outfit Agoraphobic Nosebleed pull off some sludge/ doom which could stand up to be the bands best creation yet. With the concept of 4 EP’s bringing out the band members different influences, their first being the Arc EP is a mighty effort. Opening track Not a Daughter, brings Acid Bath to mind. Scott Hull lays down some thick dirty riffs of Godzilla proportions.
Deathbed, is a highlight which both Buzz Osbourne of the Melvins and Tony Iommi of Sabbath fame would applaud. The riff at around the 5 minute mark would crack a smile on the face of any metal enthusiast. John Jarvis bass playing is in fine form and spaces out the tracks like any good piece you’d expect from any sludge elitist. Thrashing out like EYEHATEGOD and Parliament they Give up the funk and tear the roof off the sucker!
Ending with the epic Gnaw, and not letting up for almost 12 minutes, as opposed to a 1-minute grind track it proves what the band are capable of. Agoraphobic Nosebleed could most probably pull off a Country or Reggae record and it would still sound better than the shit you hear over the airwaves today. Definitely a band worth going over their earlier material if you have skipped over it. Other bands should look out cos these guys have the potential of doing it like the greatest and shouldn’t be pigeon holed to the one metal sub-genre. I’d be one happy camper if the upcoming EP’s are half as good as this masterpiece.
