CD/MP3, Enough Records, 2009
bashednursling.com / enoughrecords.scene.org
This is Bashed Nursling’s second album, but my first introduction to his work. Though Hungarian, this release comes as a free MP3 download on Portugal’s Enough Records and as a self-released CD which you can purchase from the artist’s website. This ‘rhythmic noise’ album can be summed up in four words: warm tones, punishing beats. At times the crushing percussion takes a back seat to the melancholy ambience, and reminds me of the feeling you get when lying in bed listening to a raging storm outside.
The frantic anthem “Fuck You Literature” is best example of this dichotomy. It starts with mellow tones and then – as though generated by a sewing machine for tank skin – the beats drive down. Towards the end of the track the mournful synth takes precedence again as a breakbeat thunders impatiently on the edges. “Deeper to the Bone” is a jaunty, evil number, denser and harsher than its predecessor, yet still containing an element of melancholy. Past the crushing lurch of “Mickey Did Shroomies”, “Remains of a Heart” is contemplative piece carved with clashing metal. The title track, “Every Sunday Morning Kills Us”, has a fun, rolling groove. The weakest track is “Decaying Mental Theories”, a twelve-minute harsh, yet melodic, drone piece – it feels as though this track is just going through the motions and thus fails to grab me. The final track, “Last Five Pulse”, is the other ambient piece on this album, mainly composed of guitar work and much more enjoyable.
I was a little disappointed to discover that this works better on the couch than the dance floor but you will find yourself tapping your foot and bobbing your head along quite often. It is a very atmospheric album that got under my skin. It doesn’t demand immediate re-listening but I will certainly return to it. For anyone looking for something a little different, I highly recommend it.
[8/10]
— Rudolf Vavruch (originally published on Dark Power)