Behold
the Arctopus/Orthrelm Split
Crucial Blast Records CBR49 2006
By Jason Jordan
With artwork by Voivods Away, the Split between Behold the Arctopus and Orthrelm is more of the same from each band, which isnt necessarily a bad thing.
Behold the Arctopus
Much like Dysrhythmia on speed featuring their own Colin Marston (Byla, Infidel?/Castro!) on warr guitar, no less BtA explore the peaks and valleys previously traversed on the Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning EP. During their five minutes of the nine-minute affair, Paincave demonstrates all that is lovable and simultaneously confusing about this instrumental trio. The pace alternates between slow and fast, the stop/start techniques makes an appearance or two, and guitar leads fly all over the place. The bass is audible, too, which is almost always a nice touch. Still, the unimpressed and consequently unenthused may scoff at the whirlwind-esque complexity of Behold the Arctopus, though certain parts of their music shine through with amazing clarity such as the 4:50 minute mark of Paincave.
7/10
Orthrelm
Possessing several traits of Hella, which entails being a duo and crafting insane instrumental music, probably doesnt help boost record sales, but the craziness of Orthrelm is interesting to listen to. Often, Pithot1 comes across as a head-on collision between guitar and drums that results in the two getting entangled, and then careening down the roadway despite the hang-up. The experimental two-piece are no strangers to this dense, dissonant form of art with three full-lengths to their name, nor are they unfamiliar with the concept of the split, as theyve collaborated with other bands in the past. Still, Pithot1 twirls and twirls with self-absorption, and is ultimately less approachable than the song contributed by their comrades.
6/10
Anyone who likes both or either one of these two bands should in the least glance at Split because its cheap and is a nice release on the whole. Its neither the definitive, nor the best, work of Behold the Arctopus or Orthrelm, but its worth the price tag, which is no more than youd find on an average, everyday EP.
Overall: 6.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Behold the Arctopus Website
Official Orthrelm Website
Official Crucial Blast Records Website
Crucial Blast Records CBR49 2006
By Jason Jordan
With artwork by Voivods Away, the Split between Behold the Arctopus and Orthrelm is more of the same from each band, which isnt necessarily a bad thing.
Behold the Arctopus
Much like Dysrhythmia on speed featuring their own Colin Marston (Byla, Infidel?/Castro!) on warr guitar, no less BtA explore the peaks and valleys previously traversed on the Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning EP. During their five minutes of the nine-minute affair, Paincave demonstrates all that is lovable and simultaneously confusing about this instrumental trio. The pace alternates between slow and fast, the stop/start techniques makes an appearance or two, and guitar leads fly all over the place. The bass is audible, too, which is almost always a nice touch. Still, the unimpressed and consequently unenthused may scoff at the whirlwind-esque complexity of Behold the Arctopus, though certain parts of their music shine through with amazing clarity such as the 4:50 minute mark of Paincave.
7/10
Orthrelm
Possessing several traits of Hella, which entails being a duo and crafting insane instrumental music, probably doesnt help boost record sales, but the craziness of Orthrelm is interesting to listen to. Often, Pithot1 comes across as a head-on collision between guitar and drums that results in the two getting entangled, and then careening down the roadway despite the hang-up. The experimental two-piece are no strangers to this dense, dissonant form of art with three full-lengths to their name, nor are they unfamiliar with the concept of the split, as theyve collaborated with other bands in the past. Still, Pithot1 twirls and twirls with self-absorption, and is ultimately less approachable than the song contributed by their comrades.
6/10
Anyone who likes both or either one of these two bands should in the least glance at Split because its cheap and is a nice release on the whole. Its neither the definitive, nor the best, work of Behold the Arctopus or Orthrelm, but its worth the price tag, which is no more than youd find on an average, everyday EP.
Overall: 6.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Behold the Arctopus Website
Official Orthrelm Website
Official Crucial Blast Records Website
