Counterblast hail from Sweden with their brand of overwhelming, apocalyptic crust/sludge metal. They are often compared to the likes of Dystopia, mid-era Neurosis, and Amebix. This is probably because of the thick, surreal atmosphere they create by the addition of samples, synths, cello, and even some arresting female wailing on the intro.
Balance of Pain is their first album. There are two more, Impassivity from 2002 and a new one, Nothingness, out this year. I decided to revisit this long out of print CD along with their second one before I embark on the adventure that their new album must no doubt be. I love this album as much today as when I first heard it over a decade ago. From the very start, the samples set the mood for the entire record with a sick sort of industrial ambiance I liken to the moment just before your shift at a factory begins. Above the din or rather within it rings out a solemn siren's moan. And then it begins with the machinery turning in a sickly fashion. This definitely conveys a contempt for modern humans, and the mess they have created for themselves. From this enthralling intro the crushing, sludginess begins and the album doesn't let go of you for the entire 46 minutes. It is just plain mesmerizing.
Balance of Pain is their first album. There are two more, Impassivity from 2002 and a new one, Nothingness, out this year. I decided to revisit this long out of print CD along with their second one before I embark on the adventure that their new album must no doubt be. I love this album as much today as when I first heard it over a decade ago. From the very start, the samples set the mood for the entire record with a sick sort of industrial ambiance I liken to the moment just before your shift at a factory begins. Above the din or rather within it rings out a solemn siren's moan. And then it begins with the machinery turning in a sickly fashion. This definitely conveys a contempt for modern humans, and the mess they have created for themselves. From this enthralling intro the crushing, sludginess begins and the album doesn't let go of you for the entire 46 minutes. It is just plain mesmerizing.
Year of Release: 1996
Label: Elderberry Records
Catalog #: E.B. 010
Genre: Crust, Sludge Metal
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Label: Elderberry Records
Catalog #: E.B. 010
Genre: Crust, Sludge Metal
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Track List:
1 Prelude Pain
2 Independence
3 Disembodiment
4 Balance Of Pain
5 Depression
6 In League With Baldrick
7 The European Empire Of Capitalism
8 Beneath The Surface
1 Prelude Pain
2 Independence
3 Disembodiment
4 Balance Of Pain
5 Depression
6 In League With Baldrick
7 The European Empire Of Capitalism
8 Beneath The Surface
Download: Counterblast - Balance of Pain (1996)
Download Size: 108 MB
Download Size: 108 MB
The Way of the Fist was an awesome introduction and I really liked the versatility displayed in War is the Answer. But this album just doesn't have that extra something the other two had.
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