Wolf Eyes' 2001 release, Dread, is a sonically abrasive and deeply unsettling experience that defies easy categorisation. Spanning 55 minutes, this aural assault is a testament to the band's innovative approach to noise rock, drone, free jazz, industrial, experimental, neofolk, and avant-garde sounds.
Released on 1 April 2001 via Lower Floor, Dread is a challenging and thought-provoking album that showcases Wolf Eyes' unique blend of discordant textures and haunting atmospheres. From the opening salvos of 'Burn Your House Down' to the unsettling 'Desert Of Glue / Wretched Hog', it is clear that Wolf Eyes are pushing the boundaries of conventional music.
The album's trajectory is marked by intense, improvised passages, as evidenced by tracks like 'Half Animal, Half Insane' and 'Let The Smoke Rise', which demonstrate the band's ability to craft a sense of tension and release. The bonus track, 'Untitled aka Sandpapered Eyes', adds an extra layer of complexity to the album, underscoring Wolf Eyes' commitment to experimentation and creative risk-taking.
Throughout Dread, Wolf Eyes demonstrate a willingness to confront and subvert listener expectations, resulting in an album that is both fascinating and unnerving. As a work of sonic experimentation, Dread remains a compelling and unflinching statement of intent from a band unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Vinylscout