Written by Kirk
One Eyed Ancestor — Binate
> Atmospheric industrial doom
> British Columbia, Canada
> Released March 29
> Syrup Moose Records
Do you ever stop and think about how much the world changed as a result of COVID? It had been 102 years—almost to the day—since the last global pandemic, and it changed the way almost every human being conducted their lives on a day-to-day basis. Gone were a great many of the comforts and luxuries many of us had grown accustomed to, and yet it also created an opportunity for people to find new interests, new hobbies, and discover new talents. A veritable glut of home-grown music projects were birthed in this terrifying time, and in that came newfound wonder and joy. Because sometimes we don’t know just what we’re capable of until we’re backed into a corner and forced to look inward.
Now, am I saying that COVID wasn’t a big deal and that it was blown completely out of proportion? Absolutely not, and I certainly don’t think anyone should think that. It was a terrifying few years that should have changed the way we as a society approach things, but that’s a conversation for another place and time. But what I am saying is that it’s important to look for the positive, even in the darkest and bleakest of times. And when I think of words like “dark” and “bleak,” my mind immediately goes to doom metal. God bless those oppressively heavy riffs that vibrate both your body and soul; I love them so much. That’s why I was so excited when I found out that One Eyed Ancestor had released a brand new album, Binate, brought to us all by the lovely Syrup Moose Records.
I was late to the party for the release of Omnemoth, the debut album from One Eyed Ancestor, because I want all the musics but never seem to have enough moneys. It kicked off 2023 with a bang like that of an asteroid crashing into the Earth and packed enough doomy riffs for a month-long sabbatical. And while—on the surface—it looks and feels like most another doom metal record, there’s a lot more going on if you listen closely and pay attention. Something that can be played both as background music as well as for a dedicated listening experience, both yield results that are drastically different depending on your circumstances. There is a rich atmospheric, almost ethereal quality to the album that makes it both soul-crushing and spiritually uplifting at the exact same time. Almost like you’re being broken down atom by precious atom and being rebuilt into a newer, improved version of yourself. Truly incredible coming from a one-man project that sounds as though it was born in the deepest, darkest recesses of the internet.
Continuing to push his music forward, Ben, the mastermind behind One Eyed Ancestor, has fused his atmospheric “bit crush” doom with elements of industrial metal to give it an even colder, more calculating and mechanical feel. The opening track “Multra” packs enough atmosphere to sink that whale on the cover of Gojira’s From Mars to Sirius and possibly the one on the cover of Mastodon’s Leviathan, too. Between you and me, I could honestly write this entire review about Ben’s use of space and timing on this record, but my editor gave me a really nice compliment on my Castle Rat review, so I’m not gonna do that today. But what I will say is that Ben’s ability to create a sense of peace and serenity to then turn around shortly thereafter and smash it to bits with a sudden burst of megaton riffs is really quite impressive. Throughout Binate, there are places where the megaton riffs roam, but then there are layers of electronic effects and lighter, airy, dare I say heavenly guitar parts that a casual listen will miss completely (see paragraph # 3).
What really makes Binate stand out is the extent to which Ben has dug deep into the electronic and industrial toolbelt. There are numerous incidents of that bit crush element that we first heard on Omnemoth, but there are brilliant keyboard parts, vocal distortion effects, and industrial-style drums strewn all throughout this record that seem not to say, “I will not fall into the sophomore slump,” so much as shout it from the rooftops. An exercise in duality, this record stands as a reminder that sometimes dissonant styles can become harmonious in the right hands.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Generally speaking, I’m not someone who is wont to say, “I told you so,” but when you have your expectations completely realigned after finishing this album…well, I told you so. If I had to describe the overall vibe of Binate, I would have to say it’s a cross between Sunn O)))’s devastating, soul-realigning riffs and OM’s meditative, spiritually uplifting riffs. Which I think is what Ben has been going for since day one: an exercise in duality. Fans of Onnemoth will likely connect with this record immediately, but I think those who didn’t connect with the first album will do so with this one. On every level, it’s a completely different record with so much more to offer. I implore you to listen; you wont regret it.