Nod Nod – Nod nod
Nod Nod’s self-title is a bold entry into the underground sludge-metal sceme, and an unforgettable record overall. Despite being released on July 9th, 2014, and never succeeded by a sophomore effort, the album has slowly gained fame by word of mouth in the underground scene over time -and for good reason. The band claim to be a mix of Portishead and At The Drive In, a bold statement that fits eloquently. Nod Nod exceed imitating the ghostly funeral-esque pieces of the former band as much as they reach the energetic highs of the latter.
If one were to expect a head-banging album, you would be out of luck. The heavier moments of the album are merely a vehicle for displaying a fresh array of post-rock. The lead vocalist’s (Veronika Buriánková) style sounds like a mix of Beth Gibbons and Bjork; they are the the ultimate compliment to the band’s menacing array of grotesque post-hardcore pieces. Most impressive is the dynamic range of moods. The album is strong in building tension, alternating between waves of acoustics and menacing riffs. Furthermore, male vocals are always introduced at effective moments. Whether it’s toying with chamber in Soldier, or ripping down the foundations in Houses, the album never displays an odd moment.
The album’s main faults lie within the mixing department. It’s unclear whether the design was by choice, or the outcome of mastering a sludge album to be as dreamy as Dummy (Go Disc, 1994). It attempts to be smooth, yet it’s mastered awkwardly low in certain areas; this works for the majority of the album but holds back certain sections from hitting harder. Regardless, this may be a non-issue for the majority of listeners and it mostly comes down to preference.
Nod Nod comes with a huge recommendation. I strongly suggest flooding the band’s inbox with requests to follow up their self-titled. Here’s hoping the band surprise us with another unique and engaging record in future.
Great
Listen to it here:
Nod Nod – Nod nod
