Alright! Handmade Birds, easily one of the most important underground extreme/experimental labels of the '10s, is entering a new phase with their Literary Criticism series of releases. The introduction is now upon with Mouth Wound, the project of artist extraordinaire, Trine Paaschburg, who dives head first into the intersection between dark ambient, noise, and industrial. Paaschburg has already been making some noise (no pun intended) with a few sparse releases, including her I Don't Know How To Fit Into This World Anymore EP, and her collaborations with blackened industrial noise fiends Demonologists.
Paaschburg's new record Tallow strikes a fine balance between harshness and sentiment. The opening track "Do You Feel Loved" introduces the approach, the foundation defined as a raw and rough sonic landscape without resulting in over-the-top brutality. A sense of warmth radiates through the rubble, and Trine's restrained vocal delivery aids in this living contradiction. It is a modus operandi that brings to mind Dis Fig's exploration in PURGE, something that becomes apparent in "Liminal," primarily through this ability to turn the noise meatgrinder and industrial beats into a soul-wrenching performance. In this case, Paaschburg brilliantly alternates between mournful and cutthroat renditions, once again standing firmly between these two opposing forces.
Sometimes, one side conquers the other, creating a great sense of flow and continuity to Tallow. The falling debris in "The Body As Plexus" is held back by a sense of introspection capable of reaching spiritual levels. Similarly, while the noise rages in "Chair of Tallow," Paaschburg elevates her vocal performance to a choral-like level, completing this immersion into a serene abyss. It is a side that evokes drone music applications, as is the case with the slow, pendulum-like swings of (the fittingly titled) "Circling Motion," which has something of Stars of the Lid tired vibes. On the other side, there are promises of industrial machination that come to fruition, as is The Body-inspired dystopian of the ending of "Chair of the Tallow" and "Does Your Mind Stay Still." This is also the trajectory that Tallow follows, becoming increasingly captured by the brutality of noise and industrial, leaving behind its sentimental roots. "The Figure" cuts through all flesh and spirit, the intensity building up and delivering a devastation beating that carries on with "Other."
Whether Paaschburg adheres to the balance or becomes consumed by one of the two sides is not relevant. The result in Tallow is stunning, and it is a work that exalts Mouth Wound, as Paaschburg makes her case for reaching the current extreme/experimental pantheon.
