Album Details

• Artist: Rusted Shut
• Album: Dead
• Label: Load
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2009-07-27

"Dead" is anything but; it is a scarring, abrasive assault on the senses that carries more bite because you quickly become aware that while, yep, this is going to be mostly a sludgy noisefest, there is something menacing here beyond the typical assaults of noise bands. Rusted Hut either sounded wounded or about to wound YOU, which makes for creepy and riveting rock.

You almost have to experience this record, since "listening" implies too passive a connection. "Heart of Hell," "Shot in the Head" and the ultra-mega-not-ok derangement of "Home" are tracks that suck you in emotionally, with few spaces for setting one's bearings. Heavy, abrasive guitars and gooey distortion bite at the howling vocals. Those vocals are not delivering lyrics that are easy to decipher, but the rage and grim humor are impossible to mistake.  This is a head-frying ordeal that can also serve as a pretty head-opening visceral catharsis. Bottom line, it is heavy, intentional and raging full-on.

Though singer Don Walsh and company have been around in various forms for 20-something years, this is only their second full-length (there is also an EP floating around somewhere). I guess that either implies poverty, other life hats to wear, or, maybe, making a Rusted Hut record just takes a huge psychological bite out of those involved in making it. Not that listening to them is any less of an emotional event. "Dead" is electric with power and scabby fury.

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