By KRISTOF G.
It’s the Niggght Vince from Dopethrone came home. That’s right, the leader of the Montreal sludge band (see RM issue #127) has a new, very different project, and it’s (almost) anything but metal. Niggght could be described as some bluesy, sleazy, trippy rock that wouldn’t be out of place in a seedy, gentrified tavern, or as a soundtrack to some neat 42nd-Street back-alley sex, that’s for sure. It would also work as background music during your Valentine’s Day dinner–and starting today, there is an LP containing both Niggght EPs (previously available only on digital)—2019’s VIOLENT DELICACY and last year’s GUTTER GOLD—that can be ordered through From the Urn Records. It’s pressed in black or, naturally limited-edition gutter gold.
Niggght’s music suggests Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits taking some shrooms before jamming with the Dust Brothers to channel their inner Massive Attack meets ZZ Top and signing a blood pact with the devil, or something. There is even a subtly disguised yet delicious cover of the R&B classic “Fever,” listed under the title “Jaded.” That’s right: Singer/guitarist/sometimes-bassist Vince Houde is exploring very different—but still muddy—waters here. Ones that involve almost no screaming, but lots of cool drum loops, some lounge keys, electronics, snaps and claps, curtesy of his right-hand man Rodolphe “R.U.” Tremblay (Atach Tatuq). Plus, a few ladies (including Marianne Martinez) pop up here and there with sweet back vocals or on the piano.
The whole thing ends up cohesive and catchy, even if it started as a silly jam on Christmas Eve a while ago, which spawned a first great song aptly titled “Rudolf.” Plus, some of Niggght’s darkest elements will seem a tad familiar to Dopethrone fans. The sound is still heavy, the guitars and bass lines still fuzzy AF, the visuals still gorgeous and perfectly grindhouse-inspired—thanks again to APES’ Goule for the record covers. Check out the brutal Frank Appache-directed, MONDO CANE-esque video for the creepy ear-worm “Bottom Feeder” below, and listen to both EPs on Niggght’s Bandcamp page.
