The amount of weirdness that originates in Japan is unbelievable. Clotted Symmetrical Sexual Organ (C.S.S.O.), while a good reference point for weirdness, is far from the same style. Maybe if C.S.S.O. played black metal it may resemble something like this. Nyarlathotep, aside from being a long word and a pain in the ass to type, is Japan's newest "avant garde" black metal band. I've only heard one Sigh album--Hail Horror Hail--and I can't think of anything more deserving of a warm, mushy turd, but Nyarlathotep is light-years ahead of that gay crap. There are touches of noise (meaning "noise") here and there as well as some grind-y/crust-y vocals mixed with the standard raw black shriek. The two guys that make up Nyarlathotep seem like very competent musicians, more so than most in the black metal realm these days. Sometimes the songs get really jazzy or technical, which detracts from the black metal aspect of it, but it's worth it to hear such odd music. Everything about this screams "abnormal!", from the packaging (weird art, thick j-card w/mysterious member photos and no lyrics) to the compositions themselves. It's not for all tastes, but those with a more open mind should enjoy it. It'll be a pleasure seeing where the band goes now.

© 1999 goden