Three things drew me in to listen to this debut release from Anaemia – the rather wonderfully old school cover art, the fact they are young people from Wolverhampton (UK) with their whole lives ahead of them, and a picture of them I saw where one of them is wearing a Bile Caster t-shirt.
I am more than glad that those factors did conspire – because I opened up a hugely enjoyable 25 minutes of my life (actually, 50 – I listened twice). This is really absorbing, well-written UK blackened sludge that bears more than a passing resemblance to early Thou. And for that, we should sit up…
As opener ‘Scab Eater’ roars into life, it’s clear Anaemia mean some serious bloodletting business. Kicking off with a screechy hardcore energy within both riffs and vocals, the band soon find their true groove on ‘Mourn’ where they pick up a very well-used sludge progression manual, crank the gain up as high as the dial will turn and then let vocalist, Marek, do the nasty work.
Allow for a quick interlude that echoes stoner stalwarts Boss Keloid, and then it’s time for the original demo ‘Unsex Me God’ which has been given a wash (in a dirty puddle) and a change of clothes on Bloodletting. Combining their gnarly bass and guitar sound with some truly oppressive chugs, the band find an honesty, a desperation and a uniquely harrowing circle of darkness here. Credit must also go to the pounding, forceful and well-balanced drum display.
Finishing up with the 12 minute epic ‘Dread Thrower’ was a brave choice but exactly the right one. By this point, the scorching sounds that Anaemia throw up have been impressed on your brain, and the final track gives you an opportunity to sit back and immerse yourself in the indescribable heaviness that this band have to offer.
As a debut EP, this is a strong statement and bodes extremely well for whatever they can come up with next. They’re not quite yet chained to the bottom of the ocean but, by hell, they won’t rise for air many more times.
Best paired with a pair of concrete boots, an aqualung and a squirrel’s vertebrae.
Review by Jaff
Anaemia – Bloodletting EP is out now (Independent)
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