Cobalt - Gin - review
Cobalt - Gin - review
Tracklist
01. Gin02. Dry Body
03. Arsonry
04. Throat
05. Stomach
06. A Clean, Well Lighted Place
07. Pregnant Insect
08. Two Thumbed Fist
09. The Old Man Who Lied For His Entire Life
10. A Starved Horror
A review by
BitterCOld February 05, 2010
Musically, the album ebbs and flows a bit like waves pounding on a shore? the tracks seem to come and go alternately, with some crashing down like a swell against the rocks in a violent display of force, and others receding peacefully and calmly away with a lull that conceals the riptide underneath.
Songs like "Gin" and "Stomach" showcase the developing power of the incoming wave - building force and tension like the wave on the horizon that continues to build size and momentum as it races towards shore. "Arsonry" (the most straightforward track on Gin) and "Pregnant Insect" increase tempo and the violence, like the storm waves hitting the breakers. These tracks feature some tom abuse out of the kit (particularly "Pregant Insect" at times), crushing guitar riffs, sometimes featuring "sliding" powerchords adding to the wavy feel, as well as the ripped-throat screeching vocals of McSorley which black metal fans would appreciate.
On the other side of the spectrum, "Dry Body" is a slow and slowly developing song that lulls the listener in with a droning, clean guitar sound, haunting clean vocals, and a simple, subtle tribal-sounding drums that are almost off in the distance they are so quiet? the track does continue to build, guitars adding distortion, the drums growing louder, and both picking up in intensity as it progresses along, but despite a couple "swells", it maintains an atmosphere that is serene yet still foreboding.
"Throat" and "The Man Who Lied His Entire Life" are both comparatively mellow instrumental pieces that last around two minutes each and allow a slight cessation in the atmosphere that is carried over from the darker, and more violent tracks on the record.
With the exception of those two, the remaining tracks all clock in at around six minutes plus, and whether faster or slower overall, they all build and release a bit - "Arsonry" rages like a forest fire, but still finds a few quieter moments, "Dry Body" is almost hypnotic at times, but still has some outbreaks of speed.
Thematically the album, per McSorley, is a paean to the Nietzsche's Overman (see also: Übermensch) as well as the writing of Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson. Aggressive male behavior and excess are exhibited lyrically throughout the release. Most of the lyrics were written by McSorley, a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, while he served in Korea.
Half of the song titles may very well have come straight off a bottle of gin ("Gin", "Dry Body", "Throat", "Stomach"), a key component of one of Hemingway's favorite drinks, the Montgomery Martini.
More tips of the cap appear to Hemingway throughout the album? the cover picture itself is Hemingway. Including the blank filler bits before the 'secret' song to close the release, the album totals 61 tracks - Hemingway's age upon his death, as well as the year of his death. (1899-1961)
The track "A Clean, Well Lighted Place" is the name of Hemingway short story, which is conveniently linked for your enjoyment. While most of the words within are inaudible, the last line of the song is the last line of the short story of the same name.
Undoubtedly there is a pointer or two I missed within as well that the more intrepid of you might uncover.
Ultimately Gin is an intense piece of work that retains an oppressive feel and covers some varying stylistic ground, making it difficult to label in any one genre. It is an ambitious album and a rewarding listen. Highly recommended.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 9 |
Written on 05.02.2010 by
Written on 05.02.2010 by
BitterCOld has been officially reviewing albums for MetalStorm since 2009. Comments
Comments:
11
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Posts: 305
FUCKEN SHIT .. FINALLY ,, THE BEST BM RELEASE OF 2009 HAD A REVIEW HERE ..  its a big lame that this album hadnt been nominated in the Black metal category  [just like Kreator]anyway, its a great to see thats it finally had been finally reviewed,and hope that there gona be good no. of write-in votes for that masterpiece
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Posts: 40071
Stop crying about Kreator, will you. That album is pedestrian and just average at best, where Gin is great. I only found out about this album after decemebr 2010, and I think BiitterCOld did too.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Posts: 15359 |
Posts: 15359
Nah, i stumbled on to it prior to the close of the year. it was viewed favorably by the staff who had heard it prior to the close of nominations - but the problem was not enough had heard it compared to other nominees. this album is the only one i feel particularly strongly about either making the cut or failing to make the cut. this was a difficult album to write about... tough to describe. i think the fact Hemingway wrote "Old Man and the Sea" was what subconsciously influenced me to use the wave analogies. didn't hit me until afterward...
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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| !J.O.O.E.!
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Posts: 887 Written by pazuzuovbabel on 05.02.2010 at 19:56 Really?! I should check it out then..
---- Freeze! Step away from the hubris.
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Posts: 15359 Written by BudDa on 08.02.2010 at 07:07 lol, i go outta my way to write a review for the album, daring to exceed our 500 word soft cap to state what a great album this was, and people respond to shouting in all caps. i will keep this in mind the next time i have to draft up a review for an album i dig.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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Posts: 887 Written by BitterCOld on 08.02.2010 at 07:17 Btw, great review..but u know, a mere "FUCKEN SHIT..THE BEST BM RELEASE OF 2009" would have sufficed!lol
---- Freeze! Step away from the hubris.
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Posts: 715 Written by [user id=4365] on 05.02.2010 at 20:27 Yeah, I'd have to agree with that, and I'm a little surprised that it didn't make it in the main list for the black metal section in the MS awards. Odd seeing as there's great hype over this band.
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Posts: 198  |
Posts: 198
This was my first Cobalt album. Honestly, this band has created something truly unique in sound. This is Black Metal but yet it is not. This certainly has something distinctly American about it. Overall though, it's one of the most "different"-sounding albums I've heard in a very long time. I like it !!! 
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| mz
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Posts: 54  |
Posts: 54
This is a brilliant album. Hopefully the guys decide to meet up again and release another grand slam.
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