Negative 13 – Mourning Asteri
Release Date: 8th July 2021
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Post-Punk, Sludge, Doomcore.
FFO: Kylesa (early)
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Pittsburgh natives Negative 13 (formerly Negative Theory) are back after a 20-year hiatus with their second album, Mourning Asteri. After releasing their self-titled album, the band was somewhat inactive, with the exception of playing several shows in 2008 and 2009. Original members Chip Reynolds (drums), Scott Fisher (vocals), and Edward Banchs (guitar) are now joined by Mary Bielich (bass and one of the most respected individuals in the Pittsburgh scene). Self-described as “…post-punk infested stoner/sludge/doomcore…” this quartet are clearly pulling no punches and doing whatever they please on Mourning Asteri.
This work has some interesting elements on it in terms of song structure and vocals; Fisher has a dynamic delivery and can easily transition from spitting lyrics like fire to growling on the low end. At times his style is reminiscent of Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, OFF!) which I appreciate quite a bit; it is not easy to pull off that type of delivery and to do it well. Listening to the heavy riffs was like trudging through a swamp. Distortion abounds, yet not to the point in which the guitar just becomes noise. In several of the songs there are some stellar melodic undertones happening which adds another layer to the overall sound. Rhythmically, this is a fun record to listen to as Reynolds and Bielich hold down the low end like it is no one’s business. From a production standpoint everything sounds nice; there is some room to breathe, but it is not super clean which would definitely ruin the overall dynamic. Personally I enjoyed one of the more complex songs on the album, Crack the Code as this track combines what are, in my opinion, the best elements this band has to offer.
I was really excited to review the album because I have a lot of love for the Steel City, but unfortunately I had a difficult time getting into it. From a musical perspective, this band has some chops, but in general Mourning Asteri is somewhat disjointed. This may be due to the band finding where they wish to be after so long apart. Some of the lyrics did not resonate with me at this point in my life, but may have during my younger years. Ultimately, though, the lyrics were written as they are for a specific purpose and so it is not for me to criticize where someone might be at in their writing process. Having said all of that, though, there are some elements I really appreciated, and I would be interested in seeing where the next leg of Negative 13’s journey takes them.
(3 / 5)
