Tunguska/De NovissimisThis split features the quintet Tunguksa, based out of Guinness country, Dublin, Ireland and feature current and former members of Silence, Easpa Measa, Antichrist, De Novissimis, Juliette, and The Skies Collide. Do not confuse this band with the Tunguska based out of the USA and the UK. They play a heavy style of metallic hardcore with plenty of chugging to be had (aka D-beat) with some snarling vocals that are slightly reminiscent of Catharsis at times. Also from the Dublin area is the sextet (two vocalist) De Novissimis which feature members of Tunguska. Like Tunguska they have a hardcore influence but are much more metal influenced. The one 5-6 minute long dirge starts off fairly fast and gets slower and slower as the song progresses to its climax. They use two vocalist, which you can barely notice at times because either they both sound alike or the recording just drowned out the vocals too much.
I really enjoyed the bleak imagery that Tunguska's lyrics conveyed, they certainly have an apocalyptic, holy terror feel to them. The opening song really did for me, just read this shit: "Throw a dog a bone. Then cut its throat. Tie it to the tree. Just to watch it bleed. We'll watch as the sharks tear at the crows. Place faith and importance in a pile of bones. Reach out to those in need. Those who stay down on their knees. Fath and acceptance, not for free. I'd hammer the nails, all fucking three. At least for the spread of God's disease. Are you saved with the money you send on Christmas eve? Is this the answer for your grief? The Earth moves and you rot."--"Just A Story"
Tunguska's end of things sounded tight. The bass had good room in the mix and had a good well rounded tone. The guitar tone was as heavy as you'd like to hear without dominating the mix. The vocals had exceptional placement, loud when need be and even for the rest. The drums were full of punch, very good snare tone. De Novissemis side was a little too guitar heavy for my liking, it drowned out the vocals and drums too much. At some points the vocals were almost inaudible which is odd considering that there is two vocalist. The drums were way too low in the mix, the only thing I could hear consistently was the snare, the bass drum was pretty much nonexistent.
This one has a dual layout, Tunguska is on the front side while De Novissimis is on the back and each band gets their respective side in the inside of the sleeve as well. Both are distinctively different from each other; Tunguska opts for a much more streamlined approach whereas De Novissimis goes in a cartoon, DIY type approach to their side. Both look good but I think Tunguska's side looks better, the rolling red mountains are pleasing to these eyes. The lyrics are neatly displayed over a red landscape in the sleeve. De Novissimis side has a giant hand drawn dragon, breathing fire and leaving a trail of carnage. For their side of sleeve, the band has a crazy drawing of a half stack The amp head has each band member underneath a knob, inside the cab are the thank you's and recording credits as well as a list of bands that they think people should check out. My biggest problem is that not only were there no lyrics but not even the title of the only song.
Rating: 3.8/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Just A Story (Tunguska) and De Novissimis
Synopsis: A good combination of d-beat styled hardcore from Tunguska and some doom styled metal from De Novissimis. I would definitely be interested in hearing more material from both bands, especially if DN gets a better recording in place. I really enjoyed Tunguska, not only were they on point musically but lyrically as well.