While Minsk may be the latest in a growing line of bands to wield the sonic sledgehammer originally forged by the likes of Neurosis and Eyehategod, the cavernous depth and stout talent of the musicianship they are able to deliver on this effort still hits with an impact that is nothing short of seismic.
A brutish display of brawn and brains, the monolithic performance that constitutes "Out Of A Center..." is rife with doom and gloom as oppressive instrumentation hammers the listener into a bruised and broken heap. But despite the now-standard relentless bludgeoning, the careening rhythm section driven dirges and the wafts of electronic ambiance, Minsk also have a psychedelic side they like to indulge in as well.
This in turns leads to moments of sonic climax that should have any doom rock loving stoner raising their bongs in appreciation. A truly dense experience, whether it be instrumental or led by gruff vocals and haunting croons, there is much to get lost in with Minsk. Sure the genre mainstays of repetition and drone do rear their heads throughout the bands often ten minute marathon-length songs, but there's enough varied substance and outright crushing metal mastery here to keep Isis looking over their shoulders.
(3.5 / 5)
wookubus