Faithxtractor Loathing And The Noose CD Review

Ash Thomas has to be one of the hardest working musicians I've ever run across. He's been a part of a number of projects including Shed the Skin, Estuary, The Vladimirs, Crucified Mortals, Surgikill and Thorns of the Carrion to name but a few. My first exposure to him was through his drum work in the early 2000's with The Vladimirs, who are, to this day, still one of my favorite bands. I then became aware of a death metal band that he and his brother Marquis (also of The Vladimirs) were in called FAITHXTRACTOR. And while Marquis is no longer part of the band, Ash has carried on triumphantly in brutal fashion.

Almost two years to the day after the release of their previous album, 'Contempt for a Failed Dimension', FAITHXTRACTOR are back with their darkest and most somber release to date. 'Loathing and the Noose' feels very personal. It feels grief-stricken and melancholic. Between the lyrics and the music, you can't help but feel like you're suffocating in despair. A lot of that comes out in some of the doomier influenced tracks like "Cerecloth Vision Veil" and "Caveats". And if you're looking to be bludgeoned senseless, look no further than "The Loathing" and "Beholden to Nightmare" with the former highlighting some of the fastest and most intense moments on the album. I feel 'Loathing and the Noose' is one of the most accomplished albums Ash has put out. He's enrobed the traditional FAITHXTRACTOR sound with more lugubrious overtones that makes 'Loathing and the Noose' something exceptional.

~TJ