Noted that between Belgium and the Netherlands there seems to be a particular atmosphere that favours the birth of excellent bands dedicated to sludge post metal in its most extreme and lacerating versions, the excellent outcome of this second full length by Throwing Bricks, entitled The Burden, is not surprising; Even if the influence of Amenra in that area of Europe (and elsewhere) inevitably ends up hovering over each release, it is interesting to note how each of the bands that grapple with these sounds nevertheless manages to endow themselves with a rather personal style, emphasising certain aspects over others. The band from Utrecht, for example, makes the most of their ability to saturate the sound with frighteningly intense outbursts that border on black metal at a rhythmic level, and these are the moments when the songs hit the mark and leave the listener breathless. Obviously, it would be unthinkable to produce three quarters of an hour of music in the same level of effectiveness, so Throwing Bricks, especially in the second half of the work, insert appropriate slowdowns and rarefactions of sound, even resorting to effective female voice inserts that represent a respite from the sonic assault led by the exasperated vocal interpretation of Niels Koster and, in this game of alternating fury mixed with despair and soft melancholy, they also demonstrate a first-rate melodic taste that prevents the sound from becoming monolithic in its most extreme parts. As told, the keystone of The Burden is intensity, a quality the Dutch guys put into play in profusion that makes the difference between an album of value and a display of sonic fury lacking control.

2022 – Tartarus Records