Natural Snow Buildings - Slayer Of The King Of Hell

This is perhaps the darkest single release from Natural Snow Buildings, so far. The title may have betrayed this fact prior to listening, but in case there was any doubt, this cassette is most certainly not for the faint of heart. "A Four Armed Protector" beings with 4 minutes of delay-drenched drones. After this relatively brief introduction, the orchestration turns to a morbid, slowly pulsing, crawl. Perhaps we're now meeting the protector; bells, chimes and tambourines rattle on with (I think) a harmonium, among other instruments. Unless you're a worldly musician with a vast knowledge of the many instruments of the world, it won't be easy to put your finger on exactly what the duo is using, but you should be able to pinpoint the feeling that NSB, together with their diverse orchestra are driving at. Toward the end of this A-side, things begin to blur. Sounds that were undertones become masking overtones, soaked in distortion and reverberant obscurity. But still, the enchanting terror holds you.

The B-side is less cohesive and altogether not as good as side-A. The title track becomes a bit difficult to follow toward the middle. The final track, 'Broken Sword', is an excellent piece of drone ambience, with the presence of the famous chimes and tambourines. It features some excellently chilling vocal groans and what sound to me like backward-looped guitars.

Overall an extremely daunting release from Natural Snow Buildings, but still very enjoyable and a rewarding listen.