Tylo – Of Rot and Rebirth (Trauma Metal)
I had to stop and think about this one more than the usual. There’s something different about this I could only fully explain by making up a term. I could try what what others have failed at by saying post-Goth, post-doom, etc. but such an approach is lacking. Tylo Gardner, who’s done work as bassist and vocalist for Izthmi, decided to strike it out on her own a few years back for this solo project named simply after her, which has already seen some EPs and another full-length. From the hidden references to Renaissance art on the cover to the sound, Of Rot and Rebirth is surprisingly subtle in its constructions, utilizes symbolizes and timeless ideas for new effect. I’m about to make some assumptions, but pleas stay tuned.
This girl has gone through some shit, but that’s only part of Of Rot and Rebirth. To summarize, I would best categorize this as “trauma metal.” I’m not sure how else to title it, suffice to say it seems that Tylo likely had her heart torn from her chest and stopped into the ground repeatedly and afterwards, or perhaps before, came to the realization about the human race that the best of us do: it sucks. And even if it’s not the case in reality, she’s a damn good poet if she can elicit this kind of emotional response. What we find in the four tracks presented here is someone who wants to be heard. They reach out for someone to understand, but yet realizes it’s probably too much and draws it back, remaining esoteric, and probably a little alone. This is easily illustrated with the sensual approach to the songs that lead to violent screams, but then she draws back, lulling the listener with literal poetry and never fully revealing her inner self. With its elements of post-black metal, 1990s-styled cabaret folk, Of Rot and Rebirth could very well be the birth of a new genre. Its only fault is a rather consistent approach with variation so subtle it’s easy to miss, but a careful listen will reveal exactly what I’m talking about.
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Tylo – Of Rot and Rebirth
Fiadh Productions
Cover Art: Band (photography by freshappetizers)
4.3 / 5
