The Endless Blockade/The Bastard Noise s — The Red List

Here we have a split from Toronto’s The Endless Blockade (formed in 2003) and The Bastard Noise (formed in 1991).  Both bands have their creative feet in Electronics/ Noise.  Where The Bastard Noise finds them enmeshed in a power electronic and experimental vein, The Endless Blockade has more of a Noise and Grindcore bent.  Together it’s a combination that works smoothly, each complimenting the other’s strengths.

The Red List starts off with The Bastard Noise, a noisy, electronic and acoustic offering.  What punctuates their work is a tremendously agile bass and intricate compositions, especially on “Fallen Species” and “Mutant World Of Shame/Underworld”.  On “Movement Two” and “U.S.A. Today” we hear music that is in the Punk/power electronic vein.  Collectively it’s a fine presentation, but here and there things seem to repeat themselves in the short space of a 5 song selection.

The second half of the split features The Endless Blockade.  “Deuteronomy” is an explosion of Punk and Grindcore, it really is infectiously good.  Then it gets a bit puzzling; their next two songs are remixes.  The first “Advanced Directive”, remixed by Noah Creshevsky, seems to be a combination of their Punky/Grind sound with Glitch and Noise effects.  Next is “Model 49 Rebreather”, remixed by The Rita, which is 100% Noise.  And Noise in all capital letters it is.  In that sense it falls short, as intense and appealing the other songs are, this just doesn’t fit in.  Maybe that was the intent; if that was the case they’ve succeeded with flying colors.

In conclusion it’s an enjoyable introduction to two bands that don’t really fit into a definite “sound”.  Noise, Grind, and Sludge, you have it all here in a neat package.