Ephel Duath - 'Through My Dog's Eyes'

Italian progressive troupe tallies a half hour of chord-drenched power on their fourth LP, Through My Dog’s Eyes.

Albums pushing the mark as far it might be willing to be stretched is always worthy of attention. Albums defying category despite being released on a renowned genre label is hitting the nail square on the head if you want to be discussed in the underground, if not paid attention to and deciphered. Naming your band after the Tolkien-verse Mountains of Shadow naturally leaves you pressed to be de-facto inventive.

Italy’s Ephel Duath, if you read about their doings prior to sampling this tricked-out hybrid metal-punk-distorto-rock album will impress you. Guitarist Davide Tiso is currently working with Karyn Crisis on her debut solo album, while the band has toured alongside Dillinger Escape Plan and as of this album, find them in collaboration with the latter’s Ben Weinman on “Bark Loud.”

Bringing in new drummer Marco Minnemann and replacement vocalist Guillermo Gonzazles on Ephel Duath’s latest venture Through My Dog’s Eyes, call this latest venture after a decade on the scene internal wish fulfillment. After personnel shifting and an experimental scaling-back to a trio, Ephel Duath is at their quizzical best on this album, assuming you can get your head around their unremitting tempo alteration.

Displaying a stripped and finessed resonance, Through My Dog’s Eyes is a shimmying half hour of controlled disorder with Duath’s customary fusion sublets prowling beneath a less raucous and more progressive take on Sonic Youth-meets-Bungle-meets-raging street ‘core. Songs such as “Guardian,” “Spider Shaped Leaves” and “Bella Morte” slink and grind with more impact than a rapid-paced thrasher or a tone-heavy sludgefest.

Carefully sculpted to deliver Greg Ginn-hailed string tugs on “Breed” and “Promenade” with sharply-woofed vocals, Ephel Duath’s meticulous rock-punk anarchy is well worth sifting through its tasteful vanity.