Iggor Cavalera / Shane Embury — Neon Gods / Own Your Darkness

Admittedly unfamiliar with either act's experimental catalog, I was very excited to dive into this release based on my appreciation and respect for both artists, as well as Cold Spring's impeccable catalog. Both pieces are strong and visceral, in their own way, while sharing a common darkness, one that comes from questioning ourselves (Embury) and the world around us (Cavalera). Starting with Iggor's track, "Neon Gods," we're treated to a slowly building, noisy vortex that increases in intensity like an approaching tornado. Carrying a strong digital element to its edges, it helps to reinforce the "Neon Gods" of the title (a reference to the Simon and Garfunkel line, which Iggor quotes toward the end of the song). Swirling forth, this then slows to an aftermath, a dark brooding, that provides fertile ground for the next storm. These quickly oscillating noises give the layers a circular quality, like a spinning Leslie cabinet, even echoed in Iggor's tremolo'd vocal insertion. Building in noise and intensity before the finish, Iggor's tempest ends on a very strong note. Shane Embury's side is a thicker slab of dark ambient, one leaning more toward death industrial than dark cinematics. Much like the previous side, "Own Your Darkness" has a windswept feeling that runs throughout, like being on the dark plain of your mind, watching the pending storm rustle the grass. The sirens that begin let you know you should seek cover, but you're here to face it head on and "own your darkness." This leads the listener down a more chthonic path, grim and uninviting, while slowly ambling forward. 

 

Two different approaches that circle around a similar vibe, Iggor Cavalera and Shane Embury both put forth excellent, dark, experimental tracks on this split from Cold Spring. With each side-long track, we're given insight into two legends of extreme music, different from what we're used to. Despite the brashness of the pieces, there's a certain delicateness to them, which I think helps to further this look into the artists and their inner workings. Seeing both these legends on the title line made my heart happy, and although it's just a split, maybe it will open the door to a future collaboration.