Thou - Baton Rouge, You Have Much To Answer For

I discovered this band's music about a week and a half ago. Needless to say, I don't have much to elaborate on here...though I really wish I did. It's not that there isn't some real substance to this EP (or any of their amazing catalog); it's not that there isn't depth and maturity to the lyrics; it's definitely not that the songs aren't masterfully executed and intelligently planned out (though at times they still feel like an authentic jam-band); and it's certainly not that this isn't heavy in the vein of Ramesses or Electric Wizard or whatever your favorite distortion-abusing ensemble brings to the table...

What brings me to this place where I completely lack the necessary vocabulary to illustrate what Thou is capable of lies at the heart of the first moments of the first track on Baton Rouge, You Have Much To Answer For: they don't let you get too far into your own head-space before incinerating every thought from your bullshit box. Upon repeated listens, I still have trouble pinning some moments down to just one emotion or expression. It's really that deep; and there will be times too where your eyes roll in the back of your head like getting fellatio from the seven tongues of God - it's really that powerful.

I chose to share this particular release over others mainly because of the variety offered here. The first song is a tour de force - starting with a slam and scream; by the third track, you're hearing drone-infused doom choruses flowing into an infinite jello-ocean of sound arriving at segments of 'evolving consciousness' banter as the beast bleeds out . It's no surprise the band offers most of it's music for free right on their own homepage; once you reach beyond this single release, you'll find every song that follows worthy of your time and consideration. Here's to new beginnings and never-endings.

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