Square of Opposition Records has teamed up two new bands, or at least two that are new to me team up for a split 12" LP. Masato Tanaka starts things off. Their side of the split contains nine tracks. Over the course of these songs the trio incorporate the worlds of metal, grind, and punk into one. But the most identifiable aspect of the band's music is their use of keys. The resulting sound of all this being thrown together is a mixture of early Mr. Bungle and a death metal version of The Blood Brothers
if you can imagine that.
Pocket Gallows occupies the flip side and delivers three songs. Each of these songs encompasses an entirely different style. One minute the band is blasting through a chaotic metalcore attack, the next they're delivering a low-end droning metal opus. I must say I prefer the latter.
There is a lot offered up on this split LP, and it took a few listens to absorb it. Of the two I think I appreciate the Pocket Gallows side more so than Masato Tanaka. The former is more in tune with my current musical tastes while the latter is a bit too schizophrenic for my likings.
