Black Sheep Wall
I’m Going to Kill Myself
(Season of Mist)

If you have any knowledge of the California group Black Sheep Wall’s past musical output or have even glanced at the album art for I’m Going to Kill Myself, then you know you shouldn’t expect to hear the sonic equivalent of sunshine and rainbows. That art is seriously messed up, conjuring up images of Muppets on a wicked LSD trip. Thankfully, the music itself isn’t any less jarring. Black Sheep Wall plays an extremely oppressive style of metal, rooted in doom, sludge, and dirge. This isn’t fun music, nor is it uplifting. However, that doesn’t mean that the band doesn’t know what the Hell it’s doing. I’m Going to Kill Myself may be a claustrophobic listen, but it’s a damn fine album that is sure to please long-time fans.

Of course, “The Wailing and the Gnashing…” is definitely an opening curve ball. With yelled, emotional lyrics and twinkly guitars, the track could easily fit in with 90s emo, in the best way possible. The song is cathartic and surprisingly bright for Black Sheep Wall (everything’s relative). Of course, the band is just fucking with everyone because the other three songs on the album are standard fare for Black Sheep Wall, in the best way possible. “Tetsuo the Dead Man” is more punishing than a BDSM den, with a delicious central riff. “White Pig” follows suit, although it offers up a bit more diversity, with a swirling melody (or something resembling a melody) and a furious grindcore-like midsection that leads into a chanted section that wouldn’t be out of place in a Satanic ritual. Album closer “Metallica” is a thirty-plus minute romp that basically centers around one riff, and Black Sheep Wall’s ability to keep things very interesting through is a testament to the band’s improved songwriting abilities.

One of the only problems with the band’s past release, No Matter Where It Ends is that the band needed to expand its limited dynamics, and it’s clear they were aware of this. I’m Going to Kill Myself isn’t exactly painted with a wide brush, but Black Sheep Wall has expanded its sound while still managing to be as crushing as ever. The album is a dark, tortured listen, but it’s a sonic experiment that is a pretty impressive success. By channeling all sorts of negative emotions, Black Sheep Wall has written an album that is equal parts dazzling and depressing. (Nicholas Senior)

Purchase I’m Going to Kill Myself here: North America | Europe