Nahurak - Adversarial Ligature EP

Oklahoma-bred Nahurak spits venomous froth in the form of its EP Adversarial Ligature. With a caustic mix of grindcore and death, the final product is one worthy of some serious introspection.

While admittedly a casual fan of the grindcore scene (as long as it’s done to a cerebral degree and not unmitigated messes posing as music) I am pleasantly surprised at the great effort from Nahurak. While typically fast and brutal, Adversarial Ligature is chock full of sensible death-like grindcore music that produces the guttural vocals sparingly in place of a harsh, black metal tone that fits the overall mood of the album. You can certainly identify some of the bands that serve as inspiration for Nahurak on this collective. You can hear some of the masters of the genre Carcass in tracks like “Excoriated Earth Incantation”, but you might also distinguish some primitive Setherial or Dark Funeral within the songs, especially the vocals.

The band’s name translates, according to the band’s MySpace, as Among the Pawnee, the generalized name given to animal-spirits who lived in five houses: Pahuk (the most important), Nakiskat, Tsurapako, Kitsawitsak, and Pahua (the least important). It’s interesting to say the least, but would mean little if not for the happily negative vibe of the tracks. From the piercing screams to the low register that sounds like it could effortlessly cave in your skull, vocalist Nickittus Fatticus drives home the point that grind can not only be discernable but can also find a common ground with its black/death counterparts and retain its station of uniqueness. I know to the music fan on the outer fringe it seems that the three styles all mesh by coincidence, but they truly don’t. That said, when the two (or three) do find the hybrid and produce something of this caliber it’s always a veritable plus. There’s some great guitar work on here that, as mentioned, is as disgustingly black as it is death, especially in the track “Terror Pontifex”, which also hosts a Legion-like vocal that might seem rudimentary and typical, but some singers just put that extra ‘oomph’ into their performances and catch some lightning in a bottle.
I must admit I liked this EP much more than I thought I might, and the band has a good thing going. They’re currently seeking a drummer in the greater Oklahoma area, so check them out and if you’re so inclined inquire about their open slot. They’re a nice surprise indeed.

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*Comments:

August 18, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Release Date: 2010
Label: Final Legion Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Terror Pontifex
2.  Shackles of Consumption
3.  Adversarial Ligature
4.  Excoriated Earth Incantation
5.  Parasitic Subterfuge

Total playing time:  23:45