Hailing from Naarm Australia Bentham’s Head has just released their debut album. Blood Salt and Ash. A massive undertaking that combines the barrenness of Van Diemen’s Land, the intellectual musings of Phillip K Dick and the Congolese Jungle
Riddle with Philosophy and the Journey Every track on Blood Salt and Ash is a unique sonic soundscape with its own tale to tell told through the myriad of vocal styles employed by Conor from clean to tortured as he leads you through a sonic soundscape that is both beautiful and harrowing. Employing the heaviest moments of doom, Post black metal sludge and the wonderful expressions of progressive metal the musicianship is excellent and able to meet the demands of the music and the styles that they delve into.
“New Path ‘’contains some excellent time changes and the middle bridge of led by bass and drums lets you know just how heavy that rhythm section really is complimented by a subtle guitar solo. The progressive edges do not overshadow the sheer power of the music but add an extra dimension to the music making it a dynamic and challenging listen at times it is a sparse soundscape akin to the outback as on the electronica-filled Dark Signals at others it is a melodious moment of beauty with the guitar solo on Bangala Before it selves into the heaviest of sections and progression. It must be said that the lead guitar work of ick And Chris is exemplary. Oran is seven minutes of punishing intensity.
Blood, Salt and Ash is as heavy as it is unique, and daring, its use of multiple vocal styles pushes the music forward into new realms of idea and purpose. Boundless amid it execution it is a landmark debut that demands your attention .
Bentham’s Head: Facebook
Release Year: 2024
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Sparky
