Last year was set to be laid to rest when I crossed paths with this dejected entity from Mexico, who first emerged during the treacherous 2020 era with an EP titled Jornadas de Automutilación, and that formative abyss has since extended to a couple of split releases. This past December then saw the unleashing of their first full self-annihilatory act, and it captures the sentiments of FEELING WORTHLESS, a blunt name which initially had me feeling somewhat dubious, in an incessant orchestrated scourge. Upon listening, I was rapidly drawn into its shadows, where visceral forces are highlighted by the fittingly organic sound, and its elements give rise to a multitude of negative spirits. FEELING WORTHLESS seizes the next level of aural development through CDVR, with its essence casting a notable and genuine affliction against sound minds.
A transient synth effect is caught at the opening of “Gravedad / Gravity,” and punk influences are apparent when its riffing progresses, which initially struck as peculiar for this breed of blackness. The track is ultimately distinguished by that trait, and multiple rhythmic fluctuations enhance its course before reaching “Autoestima Cero (Acto I) / Zero Self Esteem (Act I),” where compositional diversity unfolds in a grooving flow across the despair of noted melodies. Their anguish is effectively aligned with harsh vocal patterns, and those vehement projections are on absolute point while building alongside the mass of interwoven melodic layers. They illustrate a cumulative distress in developments that integrate heightened tremolo currents, and heavier territories are then advanced within the dissonant arpeggiated depths of “Previos Pensamientos (Acto II) / Previous thoughts (Act II).” Harmonic accents are observed among the oppression from a surrounding void, along with paces of slower amplified dread that drift toward introductory flatlining on “Ideación Suicida / Suicidal ideation,” but the impact of rhythm continues through a resurgence against these deadened pulses. Bleak tremolos likewise drop into pits of distorted and crushing filth, with an intensity piercing deeper amid the parallel vocal savagery, and the orchestrated energies here prolong a striking exercise in torment.
An alternative approach to misery appears in the clean-stringed varieties of “Difuminante Partir del Ser / Diffusing From Being,” and they entwine with rugged distortions for a multi-textured dynamism that descends into heavier regions. Spiking tremolo fluctuations are also observed before a dreary storm ensues on “Hazlo / Do it,” which demonstrates the ongoing impact of samples on the atmosphere, and this is matched by melodies emitting a distinct tonal quality. Double bass and blasting percussive beats surge across that mournful plane, and a contrast between lighter melodic and crushing material continues on “Nacido en Un Pajar / Born in a Haystack,” where its initial calm and other noted sections compound an imposing riff abyss. Vocals echo the intense agony of its mass, and while the bass pulse is prominent throughout, it lingers here and marks a wake of desolation until reaching “Mireya.” Heightened tremolos and blasts reflect another elemental shift on this final exercise, and a dual infliction is conjured when those elevations intersect with a last brooding encounter. This collective endures through “有毒な愛,” a bonus track recovered from older ruins, and it engages hypnotic fret courses along with the delusions induced by ambient traces. Frantic details unfold in the riffing, and the aura of multiple coalescing arrangements escalates their attack as it submits to a fatal end.
The aural disturbances are accompanied by a predominantly Spanish lyrical side, which roughly translates to reflect various themes and aspects within grim perspectives. These are experienced through an unnamed figure, whose story begins with loss and an appeal for death on “Gravedad,” and misanthropic views combine with self-loathing to cause suicidal impulses on “Autoestima Cero (Acto I).” The irreversible finality of that path is addressed on “Previos Pensamientos (Acto II),” and different methods of the act are described graphically on multiple tracks, including the need to go out with a “Bang” on “Ideación suicida.” Thoughts on the afterlife and god also appear, followed by a merging with that conscious form on “Hazlo,” and here an escape from life’s pain is sought along with a recurring love interest first encountered on “Difuminante Partir del Ser.” Longings for the peace of an end are continually driven by loneliness and a lack of affection, with traumatic memories taking notable hold on “Nacido en Un Pajar,” and this leads to embracing the void on “Mireya.” It extends to the bonus track, where a curious Japanese title for “Toxic Love” contains the only verses scribed in English, and they express “Desires for dispossession” resulting in a separation from life. The band’s name and style are ultimately fulfilled by the dark volume of this substance and its gravitation toward deathly forces.
A pleasant surprise was gathered among the bloody wounds and anguish of CDVR, with the expanding potential of FEELING WORTHLESS demonstrated through its tonal variety, and intrigue is seized as those forms rise within a raw production that sounds nearly live. This favorable medium is laden with elevated melodic structures, which give contrast to others thriving in the wrath of dissonant and dirty riffing, and some unusual territories are traversed while the percussive methods coincide appropriately with these variations. Sections marked by noted details are also effective, and the amplified dread spewed vocally over the arrangements affirms an unfeigned commitment to their path. The disturbed vibrations of CDVR and FEELING WORTHLESS’ preceding catalogue shouldn’t be overlooked by those drawn toward the most impenetrable blackness, and I’ll look forward to experiencing more of their self-inflicted offerings in the times ahead.
themisanthreport.com 