Wowod/Somn – Split
Release Date: 7th October 2022
Label: Church Road Records
Wowod Bandcamp
Somn Bandcamp
Genre: Sludge, Black Metal, Post Metal, Doom, Post Hardcore.
FFO: Oathbreaker, Alcest, Deafheaven, Cult of Luna.
Review By: Rick Farley
I’ve always really liked the idea of split albums. It instantly gives bands an opportunity to hopefully increase their numbers, based on the introduction to the others fanbase. As a music fan, it also gives the listener a chance to find another band they can like and support, that they may not have been exposed to in any other fashion. In this case, for me at least, I was unfamiliar with both bands, and I’m happy to say, thankfully this made it to my inbox. Two incredible new bands to discover.
Wowod and Somn are neighbouring bands that share the same local scene of Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Each have played together several times and share the same values as many Russians do, who find themselves in this horrible situation. As stated in Wowod’s press release, (I feel it’s important to include this) “We are against cutting the cultural exchange, setting up new borders because of politics. We value human life regardless of nationality and are hugely opposed to whoever or whatever tries to manipulate us or our feelings.” Now, on to the music.
Often described as blackened post hardcore, Wowod Kicks off Split with three tracks of varying atmospheres and heaviness. Dreamy post metal mixed with sludgy doom that has elements of beautiful clean singing and harsh cavernous growls. The gut-wrenching heaviness of Obrechenie: Part 1 is a doomgaze hammering to the skull that doesn’t let up until it reaches its abrupt end. Its slower moving, deliberate pounding beat and heavily distorted crusty guitars feels of a heaving mountain crumbling down on top of you. Oppressive weight that leads directly into Obrechenie: Part 2 which is the exact opposite in terms of brutishness and mood. The song drones briefly with distortion until it moves into a tribal beat with clean guitars and synths. Its entrancing and cleanly sung harmony shimmers amidst the progressive backdrop of slowly building atmosphere. It reaches its bassline heavy and distorted peak and continues with a more post rock/metal vibe through the rest of the track. Each track, starting with Obrechenie: Prelude, flows beautifully into the next, providing a nightmare fuelled and dream filled story like sequence that feeds your subconscious. An amazing way to start this split.
The equally varying soundscapes of Somn lean much heavier on the black metal side of things, but with just as much powerful emotion filled aural bleakness and elegance, offering up hopeful melodies with suffocating darkness. Also allotted three tracks on this split, the band kicks it off with Fracture, an encapsulating tremolo picked guitar and blast beat frenzy that erupts after a quietly picked guitar melody sets the initial peace filled mood. The quieter synths in the background during contradicting parts, bring both together as if they truly belong together. Its beat and brutality evenly distributed in a way that feels organic and real. The sleepy ambience of instrumental Dissolve is just more dreariness for your consciousness. It bleeds effortlessly into track six Reform, blending itself with cleanly picked airy guitars and long sustained synth chords. An emotional track through its near eleven minutes of enchanting charm, droning heaviness and post black metal ferocity. An amazing way to end the Split.
The duality of song writing from both bands is mind-blowing, I honestly do not know which songs or band I like better. The production for both is on par with one another and sound great. Seriously, do yourself a favour and check this album out and then go and discover the rest of the great music both bands have to offer. 
(4 / 5)
