There is rarely a bad year when you are reviewing music. For every struggle, there seems to be a gem that is tucked away, a band that provides assurance that those hours of listening and trying to find the right words are worth it. Having seen Birmingham’s Netherhall on a couple of occasions in the past, but not having religiously followed their movements, it was with anticipation that I grasped the opportunity to get my ears around their debut album Process. This is a shining example of the gems I referred to earlier.
It’s taken eight years to get to this point in their musical journey, and a real labour of love for the past five by all accounts. The result, however arduous it has been to get here, is something phenomenal. Process is a stunning 55-minutes of clever, crafted music that sews together the progressive style that the band have delivered live over almost a decade.
They may wear influences on their sleeve, see Karnivool, Deftones, Toska to name but three, yet this is an individual and unique sound that provides real depth to an album through the fundamental theme of life and death and the journey from and through one to the other. The band describe this record as their ‘process’, their exploration and demonstration of their art. And humble as they are, they simply describe the album as “From four lads from the West Midlands giving prog a go, we hope you enjoy”. Unsurprisingly, there is much more to unpack here.
I’ll say here and now that I haven’t spent enough time with Process. It demands repeated listens in quiet rooms to allow the swirling movements to be absorbed, to wash over you and for you to fully soak it up. There are crashingly heavy moments, snarling vocals, and thunderous riffs, completely counter-balanced by gentle passages where an almost ethereal peace consumes. It’s this perfect ying and yang that makes Process such an appealing listen, and whilst I still need time, the impressions from the first four or five plays are great.
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Musically, Process paints out cinematic soundscapes, weaving and painting images that are compelling, demanding, and memorable. With over half the songs well over seven-minutes in duration, It isn’t an instant record. But that is part of the charm, part of the expectation, and part of the necessary outcome. The tracks flow, with an organic fluidity that shimmers, captivates, and draws you in deeper with every play. If the title is about processes of all types, then Netherhall have demonstrated a deep understanding, for the songs do indeed follow a process – a natural style and flow that begins with “Generate Pt.1 and finishes with “Disintegrate”. There are frantic elements too. The tension on “The Needle” balances quick, sharp bursts of aggression with more controlled parts. It’s the band’s ability to work this into a workable, symbiotic relationship that makes Process such a complex, intricate yet accessible release.
With a crisp production that enhances every note (thanks to Owen Davies – Loud Noises Productions and Peter Miles – Middle Farm Studios), Process is an album that should appeal to anyone who is able to comprehend and enjoy music that needs a little more patience and appreciation than your average release. The highlights are many, and ultimately, it’s for the listener to pick their favourites. What is certain is that Netherhall has released one of the most impressive and cohesive albums of 2023. The invitation is for you to explore this upon release. You are welcome.
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Process is out on June 16th
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