Review / 200 Words Or Less
Ocrilim
ANNWN

Hydra Head (2008) — Chris S.

Ocrilim – ANNWN cover artwork
Ocrilim – ANNWN — Hydra Head, 2008

Metal is constantly making relatives with classical and orchestra. Sometimes though, you have to remember why they are separate. Mick Barr is a very gifted individual; Wikipedia calls him "an American avant-garde metal guitarist." Though I would say his ability to shred with a relentless speed make him more than just that. He is more notably the second half of the duo Orthelm, however under this moniker he is guitar soundscapist Ocrilim.

The multi-layered immensity of this release is welcomed to an era of many bands experimenting with the limits of noise rock. The plot twist however is simply that this is Mick Barr and only Mick Barr attempting to conquer what a conservatory of fifty musicians struggles through with simply one guitar. Layer upon layer of metal onslaughts are carefully put together to create mind splitting symphonies.

Though this idea is original, it is somewhat un-listenable. His talent should be attributed, as well as his attempt to do something entirely original. Yet it is not attractive to the mere music listener. Which is why this release may fade into the abyss of thousands of musicians lost at sea.

3.0 / 10 — Chris S. • July 6, 2008

Ocrilim – ANNWN cover artwork
Ocrilim – ANNWN — Hydra Head, 2008

Related news

Hydra Head Signs Ocrilim / Post Song

Posted in Labels on January 22, 2008

Recently-posted album reviews

Dreamwell

Hymns for the Denial of God
Prosthetic (2026)

Some records make their intentions obvious from the very beginning. They use the same structure that countless bands have for decades: verse, chorus, breakdown, payoff, and the blunt force of explaining what you are supposed to feel. Hymns for the Denial of God does something much more complex. It’s a series of difficult questions no one wants to answer, proposed … Read more

Wine Lips

TV Dinner
Stomp Records (2026)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS – “Leech”, “Semi Detached Furnished Home”, “Strip Club DJ”, “Static On The Radio” Toronto’s garage-psych punks Wine Lips bring us album number five. Aside from the awesomely colourful, off-the-wall humanoid artwork, TV Dinner takes a sharp turn from the sonically trippy toppings of previous entries – particularly 2024’s Mushroom Death Sex Bummer Party. Tracks are punchy fuzz-bombs, as … Read more

Psycho Beets

Horrendum
Trash Wax, White Riot Records (2026)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS – “Mam w sobie diabła”, “Zombie”, “Listopadowa noc”, “Porque te vas” Fancy some Polish psychobilly punk? Well, you’re in luck. This is for anyone who takes their classic rock ’n’ roll swing with a heavy dose of horror and dark Western twang, blending rockabilly elements with Slavic folk and chaotic yet mysterious post punk -– all as the … Read more