In all their fourteen years Throat have always had a dark gothic personality lurking, leaving a presence without being all encompassing. We Must Leave You dives into their post-punk sensibilities unashamedly and delivers a soundtrack that an apocalyptic break-up album deserves.
Jukka Matilla is a haunting presence throughout its 34 minutes as he flows from brooding narrator with vocals that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Nick Cave album, into barks that echo not in pain or fear but with warning and certainty. Godflesh would be pleased with the industrial noises that whirr and drone in ‘Negative Lite’ as first single ‘Heaven Hanged’ wonderfully combines all the elements of their new found confidence in their post-punk identity. Their noise-rock foundations play only a supporting role as the ambience breaks into an energetic surge of rolling tribal drums, a littering of synth and the intelligent yelling of Matilla take us by the hand.
Tight persistent bass-lines drive We Must Leave You in ways that cements their intent to bring more post-punk and new-wave flavour and ‘Trespassing’ is one that would swing the hips of Ian Curtis as it moves from ominous foot-tapper into soaring dark rock. Interweaving vocals, rolling toms and unnerving guitars drive you towards its hypnotic conclusion, taking you into one of the albums most satisfying climaxes. Throat know how to build and atmosphere not too dissimilar from Swans in ‘Hearsay of Heresy’ with a haunting monologue delivered backed up by tasteful synths and sinister keys as the vocals ruptures into a howl Neurosis would be proud of.
“they deliver a soundtrack that an apocalyptic break-up album deserves”
‘Terminate us all’ echos throughout highlight ‘Tiny Golden Murder’ and there is never a more fitting mantra for an album that so dramatically demands the end of all hope. A juggernaut that combines everything that encapsulates We Must Leave You with menacing instrumentation and the best vocal performance on the album as the combination of harsh shouts and warm baritone vocals dominate and leave us awaiting our demise. A devastating closer would be expected but our conclusion ‘Valedictory’ almost brings us to a halt, it feels intentional and oddly comforting. The atmosphere is one of marching determination and an insistence that you find peace with the end, encouraging you to accept your fate and do it with the grace and poise.
Throughout the years Throat have continued to perplex and puzzle, with We Must Leave You they continue to champion the bleak and the unsettling, but their relentless experimentation has landed them in uncharted waters to claim for themselves. Almost leaving behind the familiar tropes of noise rock and lacing the album with an undeniable presence of gothic drama is a formula that will set them apart. The gothic flair leads Throat down a path that is accessible and dare one say vulnerable, a record really worth exploring from a band that is without confines.