Nohz

Reviews

Nohz Slumber Between Rotten Walls 12″

Sinister black metal punk from France, guaranteed to instill a strong sense of dread. NOHZ ’s sound has two elements that stood out to me right away: a distinctly gnarly guitar tone and the heavily echoed vocal effect. The end result is a heavy blend of styles, not unlike Atlanta’s NURSE or Philly’s ZORN. But while ZORN leans into soaring guitar theatrics, NOHZ omits anything approaching levity, creating an unsettling and dreary sound perfect for late-night strolls through the cemetery. I love it.

Nohz Nohz demo cassette

Right out of the gate, NOHZ digs into a devastatingly tough riff that sets the table for what is to come—a flagrant disregard of the safety of your eardrums. This is an altogether brutal affair, with extremely well-crafted songs that feel both fresh and familiar at the same time. Tempos fluctuate from track to track in a way that makes every cut feel like a singular accomplishment, yet does not detract from the effectiveness of the broader sequence of the release. There is a brooding quality to the music that is heightened by the evil as fuck vocal delivery. In that regard, I’m reminded of RASPBERRY BULBS for their wedding of punk and black metal, though NOHZ certainly skews more punk. Song titles like “Brief Lights, Forever in Pain,” and “Sundial Impailers,” should be a pretty clear indication of what we’re working with lyrically. Musically, this release is brimming with hooks and discordantly catchy riffs. It’s an ugly, ugly world and this demo provides a fitting soundtrack for a waltz through the wastelands. NOHZ beckons you to join the blood party…will you accept the invitation?