Jason Crumer — Burning In Hell
Burning In Hell starts off with what sounds like a field recording of firecrackers and gun shots, but comes abruptly to end, only to be assaulted by the metal scrape and shrieks. Obliterating and relentless, it's hard not to conjure hellish images
Side 2 opens up with the same screeching as the first side, but quickly disintegrates into what begins as more of the same. It seems like one can almost make out more of the source sounds on the second half; machinery humming and malfunctioning, metal scraping and being smashed. If the first half was the battle, the second is what's left after the obliteration. Desolate and bleak, the tortured pleading for mercy, but never getting any until all is destroyed and nothing remains.
As violent and aggressive as the LP is, Crumer has made quite a stunning record, which becomes all the more impressive considering its "organic" state and lack of digital processing. Surprisingly, the album is quite hypnotic and my only complaint is the lack of varied source material, but that's being overly critical, especially since the recordings work so well anyway. All those religious fanatics are right, the end is here, and I just finished listening to it.