The outer fringes of what metal can still be even after so much experimentation and unabated innovation are no less than overwhelmingly fascinating to me. The possibilities are nigh on endless in the right circumstances with the modern landscape of those dark lands something that can house some of the most interesting acts that we could possibly ask for even if many of them tread the line of what it means to be accessible beyond the ears of those that created the work. As such, mysterious entities tend to be born in darkness where they writhe in solitude and become something that defies what many would consider the “normal” notions of metal. With its forthcoming effort, The Overmold fits that description to a tee.

For all intents and purposes, drone is something that doesn’t often see a union with metal. It’s a wildly patient sound that can oftentimes feel like nothing more than pure atmosphere and ambiance in its massively long compositions, yet like we have seen from other sounds like funeral doom metal, it can be done if put into the right hands. Regardless, it’s a singularly monolithic task to bring it to life. Having crazy pedigree and more than a little experience in drone previously, The Overmold knew precisely what it was doing in the crafting of this eponymous work. Immeasurably lumbering in its slow pacing that can easily give way to relatively electrifying bursts of rhythm amongst the overwhelming dreariness in the darkness that The Overmold calls home, this is a record that’s dense but simply captivating to gaze upon. A dark beauty is to be found should you look between the spaces of the notes with the iciness of the work constantly speaking for itself as The Overmold is constantly beckoning the listener deeper into its hypnotic, long-winded performances that hold a particularly potent bewitchment about each of its factors. None of that is even taking into consideration the nearly 35-minute jewel of the record that shows off the deep understanding and craftsmanship that The Overmold clearly holds over such a niche corner of the metal underground. An imposing beast that is representative of the force that we’re dealing with here, it’s an embodiment of what happens when minimalism is taken to dramatic lengths with the result nothing short of a mysterious and off-putting yet viciously interesting performance that begs you to explore its depths and find the truths within.

A singularly foreboding work that demands you to really venture deep within the album’s ominous depths in order to gain a true understanding of precisely what we’re dealing with, “The Overmold” stands menacingly alone in an exceedingly limited sound that few are bold enough to explore with even fewer still able to bring about in such a compelling form. Not for the weak of heart and the definition of imposing for all that it dares to be, The Overmold is a name that purveyors of the strange and unusual should not easily forget.

“The Overmold” releases on March 28th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to a sample from “The Overmold” on Bandcamp here.