GUHTS (presumably pronounced guts?), formed in 2019 and comprises of musicians from Witchkiss, Black Mountain Hunger, SleapingDreaming and Nefariant. And excitingly, Regeneration is being co-released by two excellent labels, Seeing Red Records (US) and New Heavy Sounds (UK).
“White Noise” has some spectacularly heavy groovy riffs as well as strong emotive vocals. Post-Metal can be a tricky genre to navigate; in the wrong hands it can be ponderous and pretentious, but that’s not the case here. Instead the vocals elevate the sludgy musical backdrop to produce what is a fantastic opener.
‘Til Death’ sure was an interesting preview track… although retaining some of the heaviness, there are traces of moody psychedelia present and moments that recall latter-day Deftones. A more accessible second-track, “Wow” is all that can be said here.
Just when you thought you had the band sussed they go and produce a number like “The Mirror”. Musically and vocally bearing similarities to the mighty Jarboe, this is a lovely slab of melancholic Experimental Darkwave joy. Atmospheric and emotive with post-punk flourishes, it’s the kind of track best associated with the Artoffact or Dais stable, sublime.
“Handless Maiden” is more ominous sounding with definite shades of Battle of Mice and Julie Christmas‘ influence particularly making its mark. Despairing vocals accompanied by downbeat crushing tuneage renders the whole affair intoxicating and suffocating in equal measure. “Eyes Open”, with its lumbering riffs and soaring tortured vocals, once again reminds you not only of the Deftones but also Glassjaw‘s post-hardcore goodness. Daryl Palumbo of the latter is a name that springs to mind in the vocal department. It is quite the earworm and should certainly be considered as a single if it hasn’t already.
“Generate” is a heart-wrenching blissful tune with strong dream-pop and shoegaze elements that will melt the stoniest of hearts. Sound-wise, think along the lines of SRSQ and genre(s) godfathers, The Cocteau Twins. However, unlike the Cocteaus, the lyrics and vocals are at least comprehensible, absolutely sublime.
“The Wounded Healer” at over ten minutes is the album’s longest track by a country mile and boy is it the dictionary definition of the word epic. It’s certainly the album’s most outright post-metal piece with cathartic screams and melodic playing making it all the more appealing and therefore the perfect way with which to conclude the record.
Regeneration is an album that should already be making shortlists for end of year top tens everywhere, and the scary thing is we are only in January.
Outstanding and well worthy of your time
Buy the album here:
https://guhts.bandcamp.com/album/regeneration
9 / 10
REZA MILLS