C.O.G.
Machina Carnaria Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum EP
Streaming | CD
Out Now
C.O.G. return with more death cult driven industrial music from the South coast. Nathan Brown reviews.
Fronted by Barry Coward, formerly of local heroes Ad Nauseam, Portsmouth’s C.O.G. continue in a similar vein to their previous release. Taking their name from the Californian cult Children Of God, they dwell on the darker side of humanity. Individuals who have the power to make their followers carry out extreme acts are fascinating from two perspectives: the charisma or manipulative powers of these cult leaders, and the gullibility of their followers.
The music is suitably dark, C.O.G. still operating in the industrial meets metal meets punk tradition that Killing Joke first forged and Ministry went on to dominate. The drums pound out a steady beat, the guitar and bass chug and grind away and it’s all topped off with demonic and growly vocals. This stuff was all the rage in the 90s but there is still a significant number of people actively interested in industrial music.
Death Of The Ego fits in with the whole cult schtick. The first rule of a cult is to give up your identity and submit totally and utterly to your messiah.
The stand out song on this EP is the second up, called Sunset Over Jonestown and based around a very Killing Joke guitar riff and rhythm. C.O.G’s fixation with Charles Manson on the previous release is supplemented with none other than the Reverend Jim Jones, complete with a sample of the man himself. We are introduced to the setting “1978 what a time to be alive, in the mountains of Guyana with Jimmy Jones as our guide” and the song goes on to describe the whole grisly scene. The vocal melody of the extended chorus is not dissimilar to Subhumans Subvert City making it instantly familiar and catchy. And then the bass line in the short middle section reminds me a little of Lard – another Ministry connection.
The clanking engine of the Black Bus segues into a sample which I recognise as being one of Charles Manson’s followers. The music starts with a slow extended guitar intro before another Killing Joke inspired chuggy tune. You know the story – cult members roaming around in a bus up to no good. I mean, what could go wrong, eh?
C.O.G. draw in another cult for Keep Sweet Prey Obey. It’s a play on the motto “Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey” of another US based cult – a fundamentalist Mormon group.
The Latin title translated is sardonic and irreverent: Meat Grinder. Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down. My take? If you succumb to these powerful individuals they will grind you up.
All hail C.O.G. Leave your valuables by the door. There’s enough Kool Aid for everyone.
Limited CDs from COG via Facebook
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Words by Nathan Brown. You can read more from Nathan on his Louder Than War archive over here.
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