Jucifer

The most intriguing thing about Jucifer is just how removed from the rest of the world the nomadic duo are. Now approaching two decades of musical activity, the band pioneered the two-piece line-up long before it was considered popular or even feasible, especially considering the supremely heavy sludge they create. This is especially noteworthy when listening to the recordings on Nadir, dating back to 1994. The level of oppressiveness and the angularity of vocalist/guitarist Amber Valentine's riffs are on par with, but predate, those of modern doom frontrunners Burning Witch. Combined with the singer's dreamy, pop-influenced melodies, it's clear that Jucifer were just a strange a beast then as they are now. Thanks to a formidable remixing effort by Scott Hull, these bedroom recordings are listenable while still maintaining a suffocating vibe; the vocals are distant and, at times, foreboding as a result. It would appear that distance, in every sense, is Jucifer's key ingredient.