Album Review: GOG – ‘IRONWORKS’

The first two words that come to mind while listening to Ironworks, the latest release from Phoenix, Arizona sound artist, GOG, is “Apocalyptic ambiance”. GOG, the one-man show also known as Michael Bjella,has been mixing up his own special dark brew of noisy doom for over a decade. And I’m happy to report that GOG’s groundbreaking contributions to the world of experimental noise metal continue to roll on.

Originally released on vinyl in 2012, and newly re-released on CD in September of this year, it would be easy enough to sum up the GOG’s fifth record with Milwaukee label, Utech Records, as the official soundtrack for your train ride to hell. As a matter of fact, at this very moment, the aforementioned ill-fated iron horse might be plummeting through the earth’s core, toward its final destination. Metal screaming through the ancient layers of our planet, preceded only by the stream of otherworldly sound, left in its wake.

Recorded in a late 19th century/to early20th century blacksmith shop, all six tracks on Ironworks are epic pieces of expertly produced noise mixed with napalm. Including the cacophony produced by a huge fan belt still intact at the shop, that ran during the recording the album. Adding to the records bleak, droning sadness, is the occasional accompaniment of a lonely piano, intermittent nocturnal screaming, and what I can only describe as a shaky hand unsuccessfully trying to adjust the steady stream of static coming from an old TV. The first track on Ironworks, draws you in with the lure of guitars that buzz like a swarm of bees, and finishes with a piano softly competing for your emotional response with the methodical thumping of the fan belt.

Terrifyingly hypnotic, like the sound of a respirator helping its owner draws its very last breath; Ironworks is an eerie and cinematic record. One that you could listen to in the background while your favorite, equally desolate horror film plays with it’s sound turned down. Such as Rosemary’s Baby, your favorite Cronenberg nightmare, or the brilliant African zombie film by Howard and Jon Ford, The Dead. If I had a favorite track from Ironworks, it would be the rhythmically tribal, “God Says To Love You In Chains”. It’s the only time you hear what I assume is Bjella himself vocalizing on the record, and creates the feeling of life struggling to survive in the midst of mechanical resonance.

As far as GOG goes, Bjella says that it all started in order to “explore the darker sides of thought and life”. Bjella further defines GOG’s mission by quoting one of his favorite artists, perhaps Philip Glass, by saying “in case there might be harmony, then it is the harmony of accident, of chaos”. According to Bjella, Ironworks is a haunting homage to the demise of the American dream Sorrowful yes, but beautiful nonetheless.

CVLT Nation is exclusively streaming Ironworks in its blissfully dark entirety. I highly recommend you listen to this one with the lights out.