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If anyone knows darkness, it's Northless. Sure, the post-metal tag to which these Milwaukee metal and hardcore veterans have been ascribed is generally a more artful, transcendent describer, but Northless's ten-year career has been a slow march into the deepest recesses of the pit. Their slack-tuned, manic, progressive sludge finds solace in man's internal and external failures, and it has become increasingly obvious that current events have made this band… give up on humanity. Four years after World Keeps Sinking, Northless has evolved from monstrous anger to complete despair.

Last Bastion of Cowardice is a truly uncomfortable listen. Yes, the music is heavy and melodic in this beautifully confrontational way which follows their approach on the Cold Migration EP, but the personal element to this album is private, almost as if we aren't supposed to hear it. When presented with such an inward look, especially when compared to misanthropic and suicidal posturing, even the most accessible side of music can be difficult. When paired with Northless's progressive mixing of various kinds of metal and punk under their sludge guise, we are presented with emotive, confounding music. There is no light here, only failure and sadness.

Last Bastion of Cowardice will be released November 17th on Gilead Media, Halo of Flies Records, Hand of Death, and Init Records. Listen to "Never Turn Your Back On The Dead" below.

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