The inimitable Portland, Oregon duo of DRYBNZ consists of the composer and producer Joe Mendonca (of Rattlehawk fame) and the diverse vocalist Jeff Suffering (from Suffering & The Hideous Thieves, Ninety Pound Wuss). As DRYBNZ the pair recruit a couple of special guests for these iconoclastic, gothic and experimental 15 tracks that are as intimidating as they are fascinating.
“Arrival/Limbs” sets the pace of the listen in motion with chilling electronica that’s a little eerie, a bit sci-fi and heavily focused on mood. “Old Ghost Lightnin” then continues the non-traditional ideas with firm drumming sounds and strained vocals that make for a scathing atmosphere.
Deeper into the ambience, “Dead Rat” uses hypnotic keys and Stephen Mark Sarro (UnTeachers, Tantrum Of The Muse) for a bit of dark beauty that’s oddly dreamy, while the spacey buzzing of “Vein Of Eternity” leads into an industrial-esque feel via a hazy beat and firm singing. “Body Of The Unseen,” the album highlight, then invites Billy Power (Blenderhead) for the noisey, throbbing punk filled bursts.
Residing near to the end, “Night Is As Day” is populated by cryptic spoken word against an ominous back drop, and the intense “Hidden/Return” finishes the listen with a slithering, haunting display of manipulated vocals and droning post-punk nods.
A highly unorthodox listen that might remind you of The VSS, The Birthday Party, Yves Tumor or Swans, Mendonca and Suffering deconstruct belief systems, combat narcissism and challenge religious and political ideology across the atypical affair.
There are just 300 copies of this pressed on vinyl. If you’re a fan of art-damaged noise punk, you’ll want to find and consume asap. If you need to test the waters first, there are eight tracks on the band’s Bandcamp that can be explored for the adventurous ears.