Review: “Recover What You Can” by Negative 13

“We don’t like writing songs that fit a genre box, or limit our creativity. We write on instinct, together in a room, and allow for the mistakes and errors to guide the creative process just as much as the moments of intention.” ~ Negative 13

After a six year run that started in 1998 as Negative Theory, in 2021 vocalist Scott Fisher, guitarist Edward Banchs, bassist Mary Bielich (ex-Mythic, November’s Doom, Penance, Behind Enemy Lines) and drummer Chip Reynolds decided it was high time to return to the stage. Together they started the band afresh as Negative 13 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, throwing out two full length studio albums and a live album over the course of the next three years. Their distinctive brand of Heavy Metal may not be one they wish to put a label on but their prior convictions have been marked as fusing doom and sludge with elements of post-punk…

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Matt Very (Orgone, Evil Army, Fiddlehead) at Very Tight Recordings, the third studio offering from Negative 13 is titled “Recover What You Can” and falls very much within the realms of those combined sounds. It begins with “The Desolate“, a 64 second instrumental of fuzz laden Stoner Doom Metal riffs that sets an ominous tone before fuel is thrown on the fire to increase intensity and energy for the bone snapping “Casket Trail“. Groove laden riffs fit for worship are accompanied by pounding percussion as the quartet perform with verve and swagger, Fisher’s venomous lyrics questioning what he has been told. Injecting a lethal dose of Hardcore Punk into their Stoner Sludge Doom sound “The Vulture Circles” makes for a sudden change of pace while maintaining the fiery lyrical narrative. The riffs are still warm and fuzzy but this is like switching from Clutch to Cancer Bats vibes while going from zero to sixty in the time it takes to snap your fingers. They say it pays to expect the unexpected but this dynamic shift is something else as it builds to an anguished crescendo.

Maintaining the pace but changing the energy “Horizon Divides” moves into the darkness in Post Punk with a grittier more introspective lyrical narrative and an aching beauty in anguished peril. Cleaning up the guitars and adding some fleeting synths gives this one an almost shoe gazing quality, as if impending doom beckons and staring at the sun until you go blind is the only option for saving your sanity. A powerful statement piece, its a real demonstration of what this band are capable of when they’re free from constraints. Approaching nine minutes on the night side, “Devil In Your Head” brings back the fuzzy, groove laden riffage while injecting moments of post punk to create an eerie dissonance. There is a natural break around the three and half minute mark that ushers in a second movement in crushing riffs which has an almost hypnotic quality to it and in all honesty, you can’t help but bang your head to the sonic assault on the senses. That’s despite Fisher’s vocal performance which borders on the unhinged bad acid trip style but is thoroughly captivating and entertaining none the less. Finishing on a high with the title track is an interesting move but “Recover What You Can” is a bolt from the blue of thunderous percussion and crashing guitars. The intensity of it is what makes it special, the familiarity of the riffs giving it that instant appeal. A melodic break mid cut is a nice touch with “Dark Side Of The Moon” era Pink Floyd vibes about it before rising to a grand finale of heavier sounds. All in all, a wonderous mixed bag of experimental fun that knows no fear while still being amazingly cohesive despite the odds [7/10]

Track Listing

1. The Desolate (1:05)
2. Casket Trail (4:13)
3. The Vulture Circles (4:47)
4. Horizon Divides (6:38)
5. Devil In Your Head (8:57)
6. Recover What You Can (7:46)

“Recover What You Can” by Negative 13 is out 25th January 2025 via Key and Coat Records and is available over at bandcamp