Big’N – Knife Of Sin 12″ EP (Cmptr Stdnts)

As a longtime noise rock fan, I was excited to listen to and write something about Knife Of Sin, an excellent 12″ EP by Big’N. As soon as you put a needle on this fine piece of plastic, Knife Of Sin hits hard and heavy with the Snake Eater. The powerful riffs and intense drumming patterns create a disorienting effect that perfectly matches the anxiety and tension in the lyrics. The band is not sparing your listening apparatus, with all the power and aggression involved right from the start. The fact that sets Big’N apart from other noise-rock bands is their ability to inject melody and groove into their songs without sacrificing any of the heaviness. Hog Hell is such a perfect example, which bounces and swings despite the crushing weight of the rhythm section. And when the guitar takes over with a riff that would make any renowned noise rock musician proud, it is impossible not to nod your head in appreciation.

However, with this composition becomes obvious Big’N are here to make some noise. The title track is an all-out assault that conjures memories of an early nineties noise rock scene. It rides a wave of dissonance and feedback to a cathartic climax, but on the other hand, the band controls all the orchestrations with ease. Bird & Bull is another standout track showcasing the versatility of these experienced noise rock musicians. This particular composition floats much calmer waters but also hides so many detailed segments as it approaches towards the end. Song To End All Songs returns to a more traditional noise rock sound, but it also showcases that these folks are into some catchy experimentations too. It’s an excellent number that will satisfy even the pickiest fans of the genre. Sunk serves as a closure of this exceptional EP, with a perfect balance of well-structured noisy riffs and slightly calmer segments where Big’N lean much more towards grunge, garage, or alternative rock.

Knife Of Sin sounds excellent, thanks to Steve Albini and Greg Norman, who have captured the raw, live energy of Big’N without sacrificing any clarity or dynamics. It’s a record that demands loudness, as every instrument is given its space to breathe and shine. But what sets Knife of Sin apart from other noise-rock albums is the quality of the songwriting. Despite the often bleak subject matter, there is a sense of catharsis and release in these songs. Another thing that sets this album apart from many other noise rock recordings is a deluxe packaging made by Cmptr Stdnts. If you paid close attention to our reviews before, you already know this prolific record label pays so much attention to visual identity. That’s the case with Knife Of Sin as well. This particular release comes housed in a high-quality cardboard sleeve, carrying an original artwork on the front and the tracklist alongside big artist and album titles on the back. The fully printed inner sleeve looks divine with all the assorted words used to fulfill the design. Of course, Cmptr Stdnts packed this hefty 180-gram vinyl in their classic protective aluminum pack. It’s a treat you do not want to miss out. Therefore, head to their web store and purchase this noisy rock gem.