Last year, Nashville, TN three-piece Yautja (pronounced "yowt-juh" / named after the antagonist of the Predator films and comics) created Songs of Descent, one of the greatest records of 2014. The artistic depth and brute animal strength of this record have captivated my attention with every single listen, and I feel that it is a must-listen for anyone interested in any corner of the heavy music spectrum. It is not a "something for everyone" record - it is a "something in everyone" record, as it will tap into something within you and demand your attention.
Artwork: The seemingly unrelated images held together by splatters of paint and God knows what else, with the two faces in the center - it's actually mildly unsettling. The LP format of this album has all of the text on a clear sticker on the jacket, so when you take the record out to play it, you're simply holding the image, which is hard not to stare at. The CD format is impressively identical to the LP, simply being a sized-down version, complete with insert. The cassette format (currently sold out, repress scheduled for September through Tapes of a Neon God) features re-worked artwork. Every time I listen to this album, the artwork takes several minutes of my attention before the music even begins.
Structure: Songs of Descent is presented in "LP format," with the first and second halves of the record grouped together. Each song has a distinct theme that is presented in a beautiful blend of fluid, evocative prose and to-the-point hardcore ethos.
Sound: Tyler Coburn opens this album with an inventive tribal rhythm, foreshadowing the deftness with which Yautja approaches their craft - nothing is overplayed, and nothing is overstated. Despite being an overall loud and aggressive record, Yautja's effort in Songs of Descent is impressive in its subtlety, especially in all its varied beats and rhythms. For one, it is impossible to listen to this record and not be taken aback by Tyler's world-class drumming. Bassist Kayhan Vaziri, who also plays bass in Coliseum (Deathwish), completely satisfies and then expands his role as bass player, adding to each song with a mature touch unknown to most low-end thudders in heavy music (and as a bass player, myself, the distinct grimy growl of his Precision Bass brings joy to my heart.) Shibby Poole approaches his guitar with a nimbleness that belies the simple kinetic force it creates (also, some of the best guitar tone I have ever heard in a live setting.) The final touch is that all three of the guys in Yautja handle vocal duties, so their sound is completely organic, derivative of each member in turn. Watching them live is like watching three best friends come together to form a rare beast that disappears once their set ends. Songs of Descent is volatile, but beautiful; it is unpredictable but engaging; mysterious, but accessible, and incredibly inspiring. Immerse yourself in this album.
For Fans Of: Gaza, Torch Runner, Isis
Favorite Lyrics: "i'll be there too
wretched viewing
with your jaded eyes...
and when the tar and blindness
is replaced with clarity
i'll smile and shake my head
as your lungs flood
and there is no place for this
only tar is left
and the rats will swarm to you
like the god that you are
you could fill
lakes with what
comes from your
eyes"
Favorite Track: "Tar and Blindness"
- (path of descent)
- denihilist
- blinders
- concrete tongue
- tar and blindness
- teeth
- faith resigned
- (path to ground)
- an exit
- a crawl
- of descent
- humility/humanity
- a cleansing fire
- chemical reign
Rating: 9 / 10
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Keep it decent.