Salford noise-experimentalists GNOD have been something of a cult band for almost a decade now, both in regards to their fanbase but also their sound and ever-rotating membership. For the uninitiated, GNOD are something of an intense experience, performing at hellish volumes in sweaty basements, something that can be felt even when listening to their recorded material. They have released an incredible amount of material in their short time, constantly creating an experience akin to the mighty Swans’ sheer ferocity.
Latest record Chapel Perilous is of course no different, kicking off with the explosive ‘Donovan’s Daughters’ which builds from a single strummed bass-chord and grows into a nightmarish soundscape. The record’s middle run isn’t…
…quite as loud as its 15-minute opener, but the intensity never really lets up, sustaining a dark atmosphere throughout. That is of course until the finale – Uncle Frank Says Turn It Down – which is a straight-up slobber-knocker of a track which builds and builds to an excruciating level with every pass.
While GNOD certainly has their audience, this record isn’t exactly a “pleasurable” experience, and its relatively brief half-an-hour run-time may seem like a relief, but it actually somewhat undermines the tension in its brevity. Still, given the amount of material they’ve put out – and their highly regarded live show – there’s plenty to sink your teeth into should you want to discover more.