Info
- Band(s): Owl
- Label(s): Zwaertgevegt
- Release Format(s): Cassette
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: December 24, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
Earlier, in spring this year, Jeroen Putman released a new album with Owl. Although I interviewed him for his previous record, the existence of this new work had still slipped under my radar. Under the excuse of “better late than never”, we now dive into what the good fellow presents us with ‘Wat Overblijft’.
With Owl’s previous output we’ve already come to know that Putman’s music is not about speed, finesse or musical wizardry. It all evolves around heartfelt and raw emotions, all wrapped up in an equally raw and ultra-minimalistic sound. ‘Wat Overblijft’ (Dutch for ‘What Remains’) is built on that very same core, yet he seems to have pushed his boundaries even further into the extreme.
The extremes again are not to be found in speed or aggression. On the contrary, on these new tracks Putman puts our mental wealth to the test with dragging things further down into depressive territories. The sluggish pace is almost painful and the minimalist sound of the guitar pierces right through the skin to the heart. It is all about the riffs on ‘Wat Overblijft’, the drums are nothing more than some steady beats that serves solely as the slow heartbeat of a dying man. Putman’s screechy vocals are the icing on the cake, propelling the album to the deepest abyss of your consciousness.
None of Owl’s previous albums had much a platinum-selling character, but this ultimately raw and gritty sounding fifth full-length (again clocking in well under half an hour) is only for the (un)happy few. In case you have not been able to wrap your head around the previous albums, this will not be an easy pill to swallow either. Yet, if you fancy the idea of Akitsa jamming on some Burzum tunes on a Bunkur-like pace, ‘Wat Overblijft’ might just very well be right up your alley.
Zwaertgevegt
- Country: Netherlands
- Style: Black Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
