Black Pus Unleashes Raw Sonic Fury with Terrestrial Seethings
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In the chaotic world of experimental music, few artists embody the relentless drive for innovation as fiercely as Brian Chippendale, the mastermind behind Black Pus. Best known as the explosive drummer and vocalist for the noise-rock duo Lightning Bolt, Chippendale brings that same intensity to his solo project, creating music that is as visceral as it is unpredictable. Terrestrial Seethings, the latest release from Black Pus, is a testament to Chippendale’s unyielding creative spirit, pushing the boundaries of sound with a ferocity that is both captivating and terrifying.
At its core, Terrestrial Seethings is a product of Chippendale’s solitary and meditative practice of music-making. The album reflects his deep commitment to exploring new ideas, layering dense, fuzz-laden textures with his signature drumming that slices through the mix like a razor. Tracks like “Ping Pong” and “Terrestrial Heathens” showcase Chippendale’s innovative use of what he and producer Seth Manchester call the “crazy mic” setup—an arrangement that allows him to simultaneously manipulate keyboards, drums, and vocals, resulting in a sound that is both chaotic and meticulously controlled. This approach brings a unique dynamism to the album, with moments of structured rhythm giving way to explosive bursts of noise and stark minimalism.
The album’s evolution from structured compositions to wild improvisations mirrors Chippendale’s journey as an artist. The first half of Terrestrial Seethings lures listeners in with more traditional song structures, only to subvert expectations as it descends into the unpredictable terrain of the second half. Tracks like “Hungry Animal” and “Mark My Word” exemplify this shift, starting with rhythmic stability before unraveling into dissonant, percussive chaos. Chippendale’s fearless approach to vocal experimentation is also evident on “Gothic Socks,” where his raw, unfiltered performance adds a layer of vulnerability to the album’s otherwise ferocious sound.
Terrestrial Seethings is a culmination of nearly two decades of Chippendale’s work as Black Pus, and it stands as one of his most ambitious and fully realized projects to date. The album captures the essence of Chippendale’s artistic vision—an unrelenting exploration of sound that defies convention and challenges the listener to engage with music on a primal, emotional level. As with the work of other boundary-pushing artists like Merzbow and Lightning Bolt, Black Pus continues to carve out its own space in the experimental music landscape, with Terrestrial Seethings marking a new chapter in Chippendale’s ever-evolving sonic journey.
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