Written by: Nameless_N00b_87
Secrets confirm that POHL have spent their four-year hiatus mostly refining their sound. The unhinged, technical, sonic assault that was 2020 Freak speed has been redesigned into a methodical layer cake of rumbling, dense, cosmic noise rock tailor-made to leave you deaf. Their modern low-fi approach is simple and concise, with the thunderous sounds of Westman’s low-tuned drums driving a heavy groove with extremely distorted melody and sustain – a nod to the likes of torch— with little variation in tempo, dynamics and structure. Fortunately, Pearce’s vocals provide the much-needed experimental acidity POHL‘s thick instrumental underworld. They vacillate between chants, harmonies, childish taunts and emotionless screaming that falls somewhere between chaotic and schizophrenic. The weight and earnestness of Pearce’s delivery demands your attention across the album’s nine tracks, as do the rich lyrical themes of grief, faith, mental health and drug use.
The good news first: Secrets is full of quality moments that appeal to a wide range of tastes. POHL are at their best when they rely on their haunting blend of heavy groove and distorted melodies to create powerful yet simple chunks of pop-centric noise rock. The first half tracks like “THE WHALE,” “REVELATION,” “NARRATOR,” and “GOD” are full of catchy hooks backed by Westman’s rhythms, Pearce’s harmonies, and his relentless howl. Particularly notable is Westman’s performance, which showcases her ability to switch between heavy and powerful hits to complex and precise patterns, perfectly complementing the distorted sustain of Pearce’s open guitar chords and the thick fuzz of his riffs. Elsewhere, the percolating riff in “PERGAMON,” the acoustic interlude “UNTITLED II,” and Pearce’s hammer-ons and pull-offs in “GOD” prove that POHL are still able to focus on the progressive rather than the loud and relentless. These highlights are partly what Freak speed a success and the combination of rousing groove with uncompromising atmosphere and emotional energy can create a satisfying listening experience.
But I got away from Secrets disappointed. POHLThe systematic and repetitive compositions of become worn down by the middle of the album, with the drawn-out opener “NARRATOR” immediately going on too long or the one-dimensional “CELLAR HEAD” not offering much variety in tempo or dynamics. Compositional challenges also crop up throughout the album. Secrets short 30-minute runtime, as the duo attempts to incorporate improvisational flair that abruptly redirects the flow in some of the strongest entries (“GOD,” “REVELATION,” and “THE WHALE”). Then there’s the filler. Although “UNTITLED 2” does an admirable job of providing an invigorating—and somewhat necessary—break from POHLs sound wall, “THE DOOR” and “THE END” hardly contribute to the overall picture, which means that the otherwise entertaining “PERGAMON” is equated with “followerism” and skipped over entirely.
POHLThe debut showcases their ability to make heavy, atmospheric noise rock that combines catchy hooks with Pearce’s powerful vocals. It highlights some of the compelling elements of the duo’s sonic past while also showing that they’re willing to take a few risks. However, despite their penchant for raw energy and power, repetition and monotony become challenging in the second half and filler tracks offer little substance. With risk always comes the possibility of disappointment, and while flaws can detract from the album’s overall impact, Secrets References to POHL‘s potential.
Evaluation: 2.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Verified format: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: False speed records
Sites: pohl.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/pohlrules
Publications worldwide: July 26, 2024
