Saturday 20 August 2016

Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel - Human Collapse (Album Review)


Release date: September 09th 2016. Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Human Collapse – Tracklisting

1.7PM Choice
2.Decision
3.Departure
4.Trip
5.Border
6.Community
7.Downfall
8.Rebirth
9.Determination
10.5PM Arrival

Band Members:

Nico - Guitar & Vocals
Julien - Bass & Vocals
Romain - Guitar
Greg - Drums
Dany - Keyboard & Vocals

Review:

Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel (LDDSM) return after a three year break with a new album – Human Collapse. Their last album Arcane became a favourite of mine when it was released back in 2013. It was a darker and heavier offering compared to their debut album, Soundtrack From The Motion Picture.

LLDSM are now signed to Ripple Music and Human Collapse is their debut release for Ripple Music. It’s not the only thing that has changed. LDDSM have changed their style of music yet again. Whilst their first album was more of a Desert/Stoner Rock album. Their second album was more of a Progressive Doom/Stoner Metal album. Human Collapse sees the band venture into more Progressive Sludge/Post-Metal territory and is perhaps the heaviest release Ripple Music have released to date.

LDDSM carry on the darker tones of Arcane but this time they opt for a heavier sludge style of riffs for Human Collapse. The opening three tracks – 7pm Choice, Decision and Departure sees LDDSM create heavy doom/sludge riffs merged with a darker psychedelic stoner metal vibe. The vocals and guitars are eeringly familiar from Arcane but these songs have a more depressing feel.

It’s took me multiple listens to fully appreciate this album. It’s a daring and quite brave record for the band to release. It has more than enough subtle Doom/Stoner riffs to keep long-time fans of the band wholly satisfied though newer fans will need more convincing. The lyrical content is very dark compared to past releases. The album leaves you with a depressing after thought especially on songs such as Border, Community, Downfall and the majestic 5pm Arrival.

LDDSM have crafted a deeply challenging album that you would expect from their sludge/post-metal contemporaries. Human Collapse is an album written around the concept of Humanity destroying the planet once and for all. Remember, LDDSM’s last album, seen the band battling the Occult and other things that go bump in the night. This is definitely a stark contrast between both albums. LDDSM don’t abandon their trademark sound altogether as Human Collapse album has many familiar moments that made Arcane such a great album to listen to.

Human Collapse is LDDSM’s most daring work to date. It’s a challenging album to listen to at times but that’s perhaps the bands original vision. To release something different that came before it. The production is first-rate and it sounds intense from the start.

Ripple Music perhaps deserve the biggest praise for releasing this album. As long-time fans of the label may think they’re taking a risk releasing something heavy as this. Time will tell but I applaud their decision. Human Collapse shows that Ripple Music have the balls to release something brutally heavy compared to their usual releases.

Though this is LDDSM’s show and they excel on every level with Human Collapse. I still prefer Arcane but Human Collapse is another stunning and wonderful record from this hugely talented band.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage for the promo. Human Collapse will be available to buy via Ripple Music from September 09th 2016 on CD/DD/Vinyl.

Links: