Rotlaust is the solo project of Jack Penders, a man that has been around the Irish scene for many years now. I was a fan of his previous band Dead Aeon, who I saw live at Monsters of Rot 2014, and knew he had a solo project but not much else if I’m honest.

Alan of Record Replay Productions contacted me about their promo video for his track Nascent and I checked it out. Impressive, most impressive! An incredible video and track that grabbed my interest. It didn’t prepare me for this!!

I was fairly sure I had picked my Irish album of the year and then I heard this! It’s a Progressive Blackened Death metal masterpiece! The concept is an exploration of various stages of depression and anxiety, with each track representing a different stage, and it delivered on every level. This is beautiful in its most tragic sense. If you were going to describe the subject matter with this form of music, it doesn’t get better than this! The theme, dynamics, great use of samples and more over the nine tracks just grabbed me and refused to let go.

To be honest, it’s as good as any Irish release over the years and I’ve heard a lot! This is absolute perfection to my ears. Especially the concept behind it and craft to bring it to this amazing conclusion.

This is going in my end of year list. The only question is it 1 or 2? It’s an agonizer as both albums are incredible that have a similar concept and very heavy.

I cannot recommend this album highly enough and it deserves more attention. It’s crafted to perfection and some amazing guests to include Stephen Rahaman ( Dichotomy/DME), Barry Christie (Vile Regression), Stephen Cannon (This Place Hell), Benjamin Ellis formerly of Bloodshot Dawn and more, along with Kevin O’Connor (Dichotomy).

10/10

Check out his amazing video for the track Nascent. Video by https://www.facebook.com/RecordReplayProductions.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RotlaustMusic

Bandcamp link: https://rotlaust.bandcamp.com/album/the-dirge?fbclid=IwAR2eLALmj6NkmNKttvNwSYMlMaNhffhWPZXH9q4ZqYSq0ptjs1eiUjoFls8