Ocrilim

Anoint

[4/5] Mick Barr has recorded solo before: His releases under the name Octis feature his guitar backed by wild drum-machine eruptions. But Anoint is his venture into (sort of) ambient music–assuming you’re the kind of person who finds the endless looping cycles of Steve Reich relaxing instead of maddening. Once again, as he did on Orthrelm’s OV, Barr is exploring repetition, this time by layering his guitar five times over (three lead lines and two bass lines, all played on the Gibson SG that provides his unique staticky-wire sound). This album is reminiscent of Pat Metheny’s skronky battles-with-himself 1994 outing, Zero Tolerance For Silence, in the way the tone scrapes the ear. Anoint, though, lives up to its title, its seven untitled, linked tracks creating a feeling akin to spiritual warmth almost despite itself. This isn’t metal proper; it’s metallic art-rock–beautiful and more emotionally engaging than anything in Barr’s discography to date.
(I AND EAR) Phil Freeman