Årabrot

Nobody has ever denied that Norway tends to birth some of the most creative, albeit unusual, artists. From the whole black metal ordeal through Turbonegro and pretty much every stop in between, something eccentric is ingrained in most of the country's acts. Ensuring they don't fail to live up to those high expectations, Haugesund's Årabrot (named after the city's garbage disposal service) take things a step further on latest effort Revenge. From the choppy delivery of vocals grunted in pure Marilyn Manson fashion through to plodding rhythms offset by outright noise and oppressive riffs heavier than all Hell, it's as if the Melvins and Swans locked themselves into a windowless room for a year, slapped one another senseless and then stood stark naked in the pure Norwegian snow for another week. Not always listenable, but still eye-opening and inventive, Revenge is inspiring for its oddity, eerie for the ease with which it works and amusing for how the title ostensibly refers to how this band are exacting retaliation on all groups stuck in the mindset of songs having silly things like verses, choruses and melodies.